KDM Criticises West Java Bureaucracy for Perpetuating Feudal Culture, Unpad Professor Offers Solution

A professor from the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Padjadjaran University, Asep Sumaryana, has stated that one way to eliminate feudal culture within the West Java provincial government bureaucracy is to recruit leaders based on competence. The statement responds to West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi’s criticism of feudal culture in the bureaucracy.

“That (feudal) culture is actually related to structure. The structure within the bureaucracy is bound by rules, so if the culture is considered feudal, it could be that the structure demands it,” he said on Wednesday (19/8/2026).

Asep said the regional head is the highest decision-maker within the bureaucratic environment. Under these conditions, subordinates try to ascertain what the leader desires.

“Thus, what members fear is that the leader will not be pleased with the work of subordinates,” he said.

He continued that this culture thrives because the one who determines strategic positions within the West Java provincial government bureaucracy is the Governor of West Java. One step that must be taken to eliminate feudal culture is to recruit staff based on their competence.

“Whether employees are selected based on competence; if not, that is feudalism. Why choose person A or person B? Because they are close to me, because they have helped me a lot. That is also feudal culture,” he said.

Asep stressed that if one wants to eliminate feudal culture, the selection of high-ranking officials must be based on competence. If that does not happen, competition will be defeated by networking.

“Feudal culture sidelines competence and prioritises chemistry,” he said.

He also said that the desire to be respected grows in every person. He reminded that if the Governor of West Java wishes to decide something, it must first be discussed with other leaders.