Unable to Raise Civil Servant Salaries, BKN Chief Designs Cost-Cutting Programme

Civil servants (ASN) will soon be working in accordance with their domiciles. This policy is currently in the trial phase at the National Civil Service Agency (BKN). Head of BKN Zudan Arif Fakrulloh stated that the programme was designed out of an awareness that the government has not yet been able to boost ASN income. Therefore, at the very least, their work-related expenditure can be reduced. “When I am unable to increase income, it would be very wise if all leaders could reduce the level of expenditure. Therefore, we are starting to execute this programme,” Zudan said in a post on BKN’s Instagram account on Wednesday. Zudan explained that the programme, which prioritises domicile and the employee’s family, aims to save on the living costs of civil servants while simultaneously encouraging better public service performance. “BKN is bringing ASN closer to their families and their domiciles. God willing, we will be able to bring ASN closer,” Zudan said. Zudan emphasised that the programme is initially specifically for ASN within BKN. Civil servants and government employees with work agreements at other institutions can adapt the policy if the trial is deemed effective in boosting performance and efficiency. “This is for BKN first. Hopefully, it can later inspire ministries, agencies, provinces, and regencies or cities, so it can become a national movement,” he explained. He admitted to designing the programme in response to the concerns of ASN who wish to fulfil their responsibilities as parents while still striving to meet their obligations of service to the state. “Fulfilling the responsibilities of being a mother or a father, to give full attention to their children, who want to be more efficient and reduce expenditure,” Zudan stressed. “If a husband and wife are together, they can save on plane tickets, save on kitchen expenses, electricity, and water, and I understand this,” he said.