Ombudsman to Close Ranks: We Are Seen as Distant from the Government

“We nine will soon close ranks to complete our duties, functions, and authorities that the public has been awaiting. Because the inauguration, which took up to two months, this two months has been hindered, and now the inauguration has taken place,” said Hery at the State Palace in Jakarta on Friday (10/4/2026). Hery outlined several priorities that the members of his period’s Ombudsman will address, from internal improvements to bringing the Ombudsman closer to government programmes. “The first priority is internal improvement, as there are many things within the Ombudsman that need to be fixed, including structure, human resources, and budget, where the Ombudsman is still felt to be distant from the government,” Hery stated. “Because we are still seen as distant from the government, we will bring closer the programmes that are the government’s goals, namely Astacita, so that they can be implemented as best as possible. Thus, Ombudsman oversight is needed,” he added. According to Hery, President Prabowo’s Astacita programme has not yet been communicated to the public, including free education, the people’s school, free nutritious meals (MBG), and downstream industrialisation. “Therefore, this good government programme will be brought closer to the public, including so that it can be implemented as best as possible. Hence, Ombudsman accompaniment is needed so that this good government programme can reach the public,” he further remarked.