Home Affairs Secretary-General Urges New Officials to Abandon Old Working Patterns

Secretary-General of the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) Tomsi Tohir has urged state civil apparatus (ASN), particularly newly appointed officials, to abandon working patterns that merely repeat routine programmes. He asserted that the bureaucracy must be capable of delivering innovations that address the needs of the community and provide tangible benefits.

Tomsi conveyed this message while inaugurating Administrator Officials, Supervisory Officials, and Functional Officials within the Kemendagri at the ministry’s office in Jakarta on Friday (24/7).

"Therefore, whatever your respective field of duty, try to think without being confined only to certain habits," he said.

He stated that the additional budget allocation received by the ministry must be utilised as momentum to create new breakthroughs. According to him, the budget should be directed towards supporting programmes that strengthen the performance of local governments, not merely multiplying routine activities.

Tomsi also emphasised the importance of a results-oriented mindset. He said every programme needs to be designed with long-term impact in mind so that the guidance provided by Kemendagri to local governments can produce measurable change while improving the quality of public services.

"If our way of thinking allows us to see several steps ahead, then we will be better off," he stressed.

Furthermore, Tomsi advised the newly appointed officials to carry out their mandate with full integrity, a spirit of dedication, and professionalism. He also reminded them of the importance of maintaining communication, strengthening bonds of friendship, and working honestly as the foundation for carrying out governmental duties. This, he noted, is in line with the teachings of all religions that guide their followers towards goodness.

"There are commands to work well, work hard, be honest, maintain good relations, and communicate well," he concluded.