Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on the Launching of 2020 Annual Report of Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia, 8 February 2021, from Merdeka Palace, Jakarta

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Peace and prosperity be upon us,

Om Swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greeting of virtue.

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet,

Distinguished Leaders of the Ombudsman for the 2016-2021 period,

Distinguished Leaders-Elect of the Ombudsman for the 2021-2026 period,

Distinguished Governors, Rectors,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Esteemed Guests.

Excellent public service is tangible evidence of the presence of the state among people’s lives on a daily basis. The state is deemed to be present if it is able to provide excellent, fast, professional and just public services.

To materialize excellent public services requires sustainable efforts, a system transformation, a good governance, a change in the mindset and work culture of our bureaucracy from ‘being served’ to ‘serving’ culture.

We have a mammoth task to transform a bureaucratic service model which is rigid, stuck in procedural and administrative matters into a public service that puts emphasis on speed, innovation and result-oriented mode.

Once again, this is a big work for us. It requires participation from all elements of the society and supervision from the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia in the forms of suggestions, criticism and support so that public services in the country will be of higher quality.

Therefore, on this auspicious opportunity, I’d like to express my gratitude and highest appreciation to the Leaders and Members of the Ombudsman for monitoring and supervising public services run by state administrators, the Central Government, regional governments, including those of state-owned enterprises, private sector and individuals tasked with providing certain public services.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

The ongoing pandemic has forced public service providers to transform. The services provided to the public must be based on the same awareness that we work in crisis which require unusual methods, which require innovation and breakthroughs.

During this pandemic, the people may not wait too long to receive public services. The people must receive fast and effective services, so that those affected not only receive fast treatment in the health sector but also protection and fast assistance from the state so that they can survive and maintain their quality of life.

To that end, I always emphasize that in time of crisis, all public service providers must be able to change the frequency from normal to extraordinary mode. We must be able to change the way we work, from ‘business as usual’ to be more innovative and to always seek smart shortcuts.

I am aware that we have come a long way and we need to improve many things. I am convinced that the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia has also found a host of shortcomings we need to fix. This is pivotal to boost the quality standards of public service in the future.

The public must become part of the process to achieve better public services. The public must play more active roles in delivering constructive criticism, suggestion or reporting potential maladministration. And public service providers must also continue to boost their efforts for improvements.

Finally, I’d like to extend gratitude and highest appreciation to the Leaders and Members of the Ombudsman for the 2016-2021 period and congratulations on serving the Ombudsman leadership for the 2021-2026 period. What the Ombudsman has done so far has helped improve the quality of public services in the country.

That concludes my remarks on this auspicious opportunity.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Om Santi Santi Santi Om,

Namo Buddhaya.