Still some hope for the bureaucracy

Still some hope for the bureaucracy

Prijono Tjiptoherijanto, Head, State Civil Service Agency (BKN), Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has complained more than once
about the bureaucracy. Even in the New Order period, ministers
complained about the bad performance of their subordinates. Many
were "free loaders", receiving salaries without displaying
significant performance.

The crucial role of the bureaucracy is not supported by
responsible and capable bureaucrats. Thailand's recovery from its
economic crisis in less than three years proves the high quality
of Thai bureaucrats.

Malaysia's ability to largely escape economic problems shows
that the bureaucrats are quite clean and efficient. Its
bureaucracy has even been entrusted with the management of quite
big private funds from social insurance, tithe and alms.

The ability of a government to succeed depends much on the
quality and capability of its bureaucrats. According to a World
Bank' survey in The East Asia Miracle, a transparent civil
servant selection and recruitment system, and the promotion and
rotation system that ensures "the right man in the right place"
and public accountability guarantee the success of a bureaucracy.

Unfortunately these three factors are rarely found in Asian
countries, especially in East Asia. Selection and recruitment run
based on the "marriage system" -- instead of the merit system.

Nepotism is still rife in the selection of new civil servants
and in the promotion for certain posiations. Promotion and
rotation or transfer to other departments are often used as a
means of removing unwanted officials because they are regarded as
troublemakers. They are promoted to high but unimportant
positions without subordinates or authority.

Awareness about public rights is not the bureaucracy's main
agenda. Many decisions ignore public interests and services.
Train tickets, boat and bus tickets are often sold out before the
ticket counters open. Railway officials' reluctance to reveal the
number of vacant seats indicates their tendency to back scalpers.
The transfer of policemen who have persevered in eradicating drug
traffickers by their superiors suggests that responsibility for
public interests is still an illusion.

Such disorder must be addressed. Attention should be given to
selection and recruitment systems. The recruitment of new civil
servants, including the necessary prerequisites and
qualifications, should be announced transparently.

Selection tests should be general, simultaneous and
transparent, and evaluated by independent appraisers from the
public including professionals or academicians who are neutral
and free of collusion.

Promotion and transfers should be transparent. Those who are
shifted to other assignments or other locations should have the
right to state their objection. Prerequisites should be focused
more on education and skill instead of age and position. It is
also necessary to consider the impact of public policy. Every new
regulation needs academic arguments. There must be no thirst of
power that can stimulate conflict and factions.

Urgent necessary measures should start with the collection of
data that can indicate the quality and skill of every government
apparatus. Such efforts indeed require large funds -- but if such
steps are taken soon, the result of the huge task of improving
the bureaucracy may be enjoyed in the coming three or four years.