Government Encourages Local Consultants to Handle Strategic Projects
Jakarta — The government is driving strengthened engagement of domestic consultants to support the quality of national development projects. Dependence on foreign consultants is considered still high and has the potential to burden state finances.
Minister of National Development Planning (PPN)/Bappenas Chief Rachmat Pambudy stated that the quality of development projects is significantly influenced by the involvement of competent consultants. This was conveyed when Rachmat received an audience from the National Executive Board of the Indonesian National Consultants Association (INKINDO) in Jakarta.
“When a project has been reviewed or handled by a competent consultant, usually the quality of the work is far more assured,” said Rachmat based on an INKINDO press statement on Monday (9 March 2026).
Rachmat explained that in practice there are two main types of consultants: construction consultants and non-construction consultants. However, this division is not always straightforward when applied in the field.
“If we look at international consultants such as Booz Allen Hamilton, the difference in capacity and professionalism is very clear. This should be a lesson for us to continue strengthening domestic consultants,” said Rachmat.
Rachmat believes meetings between the government and consultant professional organisations should be conducted regularly with clear targets. Rachmat encouraged such discussions to produce concrete steps, including discussions on regulatory drafts or the preparation of presidential regulations to strengthen the consulting sector.
“Professional organisations such as INKINDO need to strengthen institutional structures and the legal basis of the organisation so that it can function more effectively as a forum for professional development,” said Rachmat.
Secretary General of the INKINDO National Executive Board Imam Hartawan stated that the organisation is encouraging the establishment of regulations governing non-construction consulting services. According to Imam, such regulation is important to provide recognition and a development framework for the consulting profession.
“Since around 2015 we have been pushing for a legal umbrella at the national level for non-construction consulting services. This regulation is important so that the consulting profession receives clear recognition, protection and development,” said Imam.
Imam explained that the process of forming such regulation has been quite lengthy and has faced various challenges. Although it once reached the stage of inter-ministerial discussion, policy dynamics and changes in government have caused delays in the process.
“Consulting services are used in almost every ministry and agency, but for non-construction consultants to this day there is no clear arrangement like the construction sector which already has a legal basis through law and derivative regulations,” said Imam.
Imam added that INKINDO together with various stakeholders has prepared a policy concept for the development and advancement of non-construction services. The document was compiled through a process that took approximately two years.
“This document contains development concepts, competency standards, and mechanisms for managing non-construction consulting services. The hope is that this policy will not only apply within certain circles, but can be implemented nationally,” said Imam.
According to Imam, the policy formulation process has also gone through harmonisation stages with various ministries and agencies. In fact, in 2022 the harmonisation process was said to have reached the final stage with supporting data from various regions.
INKINDO hopes for government support to accelerate the establishment of regulations that have been pursued to date. Such regulation is considered important to improve the competitiveness of national consultants.
“With strong regulation in place, the consulting profession will have clear competency standards and provide a foundation for developing the necessary development policies. The hope is that increasingly many qualified human resources will be attracted to careers in the consulting field and be able to compete with international consultants,” said Imam.