Purbaya Threatens Slow Bureaucrats! Get Ready to Pack Your Bags
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa admits to facing difficulties in changing the bad habits of Indonesian bureaucrats, such as working slowly and failing to match actions with words.
Even after implementing reforms in the Ministry of Finance through large-scale rotations of officials since taking office as finance minister on 8 September 2026, he still encounters officials and employees in the Ministry of Finance who work slowly, particularly in preventing leaks in state revenues.
“Changing the behavioural system is apparently not as easy as turning the palm of the hand. Apparently, that’s how it is in the bureaucracy; you’re told A, they say ‘ready, sir’ in front, but it’s not done for three months. Told again, still not done,” said Purbaya at the PT SMI 2026 Symposium in Jakarta on Wednesday (22/4/2026).
Purbaya stated that this habit is what leads to ongoing leaks in state revenues from the taxation side. In fact, he has emphasised his commitment to the Ministry of Finance ranks to focus on eliminating the tolerance for underinvoicing or allowing illegal goods to enter.
“That’s what I’m fixing in tax collection; I’m protecting our market from illegal goods. It’s starting to progress, but there are still leaks here and there. People in the field say it’s still leaking. But we will continue to fix it,” he asserted.
Therefore, Purbaya emphasises that there will be no favouritism for any officials or employees of the Ministry of Finance. If they work slowly and continue to operate in grey areas, they will be removed or transferred.
“When they’re moved, that’s when they cry. So we will ensure the message reaches the entire bureaucracy, at least in the Finance Department. If I tell you to do it and you don’t, just get ready to pack your bags,” explained Purbaya.
Nevertheless, he assures that he will provide high rewards and incentives for officials or employees who can carry out their tasks quickly.
“But if the work is good, we’ll give high value or appreciation, including incentives,” he said.