Problems for the bureaucracy

Problems for the bureaucracy

From Media Indonesia

Despite some people's suggestion that the office of the state minister of state administrative reforms be liquidated, I believe that the presence of this state minister's office is very important, especially considering that the bureaucracy is facing a number of serious problem in the face of the major changes taking place in the country, such as:

1. regional autonomy;

2. the relocation of civil servants from conflict-ridden areas;

3. the placement of civil servants from ministries that have been liquidated or merged;

4. the government's limited financial capability to finance the bureaucracy;

5. the transformation into and development of multifaceted patterns of thought in the bureaucracy.

With these conditions, the country needs a bureaucracy that can provide good service to the community, just like the bureaucracy in some other countries. Given the present conditions and problems, the State Civil Service Agency (BKN) and the National Institute of Administration (LAN) cannot handle the bureaucracy properly by themselves. It would also be too strange to leave this matter to the President.

It is in this context that the office of the state minister of state administrative reforms may play a role in helping the President exercise control over the ongoing changes. LAN and BKN will implement, not formulate, policies. Although some quarters have been suggesting that the President liquidate the above office, it is to be hoped that the President can see clearly the ulterior motive behind this suggestion.

The liquidation of the office of the state minister of state administrative reforms will only give the impression that the President has no empathy for the problem-embroiled bureaucracy. Fresh turmoil will ensue and new problems will arise unnecessarily.

SRI WINARSIH

Jakarta