Reforms in the bureaucracy

Reforms in the bureaucracy

The statement by state minister of administrative reforms, TB
Silalahi, regarding the government's efforts to streamline the
structure of our bureaucracy for greater efficiency is most
appropriate and of strategic significance. To support the efforts
taken to surmount the current monetary crisis under the agreement
reached with the IMF, the government would take de-
bureaucratization measures and streamline the state
administrative structure from the center down to the regency
level. This would be done without resorting to layoffs of
government administrative personnel.

Such measures are highly appropriate, not only to achieve a
greater overall efficiency within a bureaucracy that is generally
considered to be sluggish, but also with a view to attain better
quality and greater professionalism in the future. We know that
-- at present, while the nation is being subjected to pressures
and crises, but particularly in the future -- our bureaucracy
will have to confront the biggest of challenges. The challengers
can obviously no longer be met in "traditional" ways and methods
which rely on false authority and power that have, because of a
number of factors, for so long been an inherent part of our
bureaucracy.

One of the greatest challenges faced by our bureaucrats, at
present but especially in the future, is the increased capability
of the public to appraise the quality of the public
administration processes. Whereas people have so far been willing
enough to go through all the required bureaucratic motions, every
policy measure must from now on have a proper legal and policy
base in order to be considered valid and be accepted by the
public.

For this reason, our bureaucratic orientation obviously needs
to be readjusted. Officials are expected to possess not only the
capacities and capabilities appropriate for their respective
fields of responsibility, but also to have the sensitivity to
respond to every development that occurs in society.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta