Leadership Education Must Improve Service Quality

Home Affairs Ministry Secretary General Tomsi Tohir has asserted that leadership education must not stop at merely improving administrative competence. Leadership education must be capable of changing mindsets towards higher quality public service. This message was conveyed by Tomsi during the release of participants for the National Leadership Training Level II, Batch I, Ministry of Home Affairs Year 2026 at Building F of the Human Resources Development Agency, Ministry of Home Affairs, Jakarta, on Thursday (2/7). According to Tomsi, every level of education possesses a spirit and objectives that participants must achieve as a foundation for facing an ever-evolving, increasingly advanced, critical, and intelligent society, as well as increasingly complex service issues. “At each level of education, there is a change in the way of thinking. The way of thinking shifts from being sectoral and partial to thinking intelligently, strategically, systemically, orderly, and holistically,” he said. He explained that every level of education must also bring about a change in leadership style. A work orientation that previously focused solely on completing tasks must shift towards an orientation of providing the best service to the community. According to him, this orientation must also be accompanied by persistence to deliver maximum results. “We think of the best. Then, when there are obstacles or regulations, we provide suggestions for improvement,” he stated. Furthermore, Tomsi revealed that the public has at least seven main expectations regarding public services, namely: (1) fast and easy, (2) friendly, polite, and respectful attitudes towards the community, (3) integrity and freedom from illegal levies, (4) professional and competent, (5) responsive to community problems, (6) fair and non-discriminatory, and (7) delivering policies and programmes that are truly beneficial. Therefore, he reminded every apparatus to have principles and values that serve as a foundation in carrying out their duties. “Ladies and Gentlemen, we must have principles in our work,” he stressed. He also emphasised that the abilities and opportunities possessed by every apparatus are a mandate that must be accounted for, not only to the community but also to God Almighty. According to him, sincere dedication will open the path for blessings to come. “Behind all of that, if I work day and night, dedicating my energy there, that is where the door to God’s grace opens,” he concluded.