Ombudsman RI highlights need for anti-maladministration culture on campuses

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Indonesian Ombudsman (ORI) has stated that an anti-maladministration culture within universities must be strengthened to enhance public service quality across Indonesia. “Quality public services must be delivered transparently, responsively, accessibly, accountably, and fairly,” said Ombudsman RI member Partono Partono in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday. He explained that ORI is a state institution with the authority to oversee public service provision by government agencies, state-owned enterprises (BUMN), regional-owned enterprises (BUMD), and private entities delivering public services. ORI functions to receive public reports, conduct examinations, investigations, mediation, and provide recommendations for improvements to public service providers. However, he noted that public service oversight cannot be handled by the government alone and requires active participation from society, including academics and students. Previously, during a public lecture at Raden Fatah State Islamic University (UIN) in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Thursday (21 May), Partono urged stronger collaboration between ORI and universities through public lectures, discussion forums, student internships, and the development of anti-maladministration research centres. “Universities play a crucial role in building legal awareness and participatory, sustainable public service oversight,” he added. During the event, he also presented the public service conditions in South Sumatra Province based on ORI’s 2025 assessment, which received a high-quality rating with low maladministration risk. Nevertheless, he assessed that consistent improvements to public service quality remain necessary. The public lecture was interactive, featuring a question-and-answer session between students and the speaker on public service challenges and maladministration prevention efforts in Indonesia. The event was attended by the academic community and students from various faculties at UIN Raden Fatah Palembang.