President Jokowi Calls for Consistent Bureaucratic Reforms
President Jokowi
State Civil Apparatus (ASN) will be able to provide excellent service for the public across the country through consistent implementation of bureaucratic reforms, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.
“The most important thing is a change in values and culture, something that is not just written on paper. However, the change should be transformed into the work ethic of our bureaucracy so it becomes real and can be felt by the communities,” the President said virtually during the Opening of the 9th National Conference of the Indonesian Civil Servant Corps (KORPRI) in 2022, Friday (01/28).
President Jokowi underscored that the change in bureaucratic work ethic requires a good ecosystem.
To that end, he added, both bureaucratic system and its governance must be continuously improved, while the ASN needs to be facilitated by a smart, comfortable, and productive work environment.
“We also need a lot of smart ASN. We need to hone superior talents through high quality and world-standard education and training to create ASN with integrity, professionalism, innovation, and creativity,” he said.
According to the President, the 9th KORPRI National Conference must be used as a momentum to speed up the transformation of KORPRI into a more modern and professional ASN Corps.
“As the front line of bureaucratic reforms, KORPRI must be adaptive to respond to any changes; provide solutions to various national problems; shift bureaucratic complexity into fast, efficient, and result-oriented work; reshuffle an organization that is full of partitions and sectoral egos and turn it into a solid and fluid team; and form an adaptive, agile, and swift organization,” he affirmed.
The President further said that KORPRI is currently faced with a fast-changing world and high public expectations for public services.
“The public needs innovative programs, creative and quick solutions to solve various existing problems,” he said.
On that occasion, President Jokowi also highlighted four things that deserve attention from KOPRI, as follows.
First, KORPRI must be able to invite and encourage all ASN to have the same orientation, including providing the best service for the public. ASN must also have a spirit of serving the public instead of being served by the public.
“This may sound cliché but it is very important and fundamental because the ASN has been in the comfort zone for a very long time. They have been shackled by the cultural heritage of feudal bureaucracy, making them less productive. We must change such culture completely. Indonesian ASN must get out of their comfort zone to become modern and professional,” he stated.
Second, all resources and powers granted by the state to the ASN must be used in an accountable manner. The authority must be utilized as much as possible for the benefit and empowerment of the people.
“Bureaucracy means that we do not only have to be present in the communities, yet the presence has a real impact on them, that is important. We must also provide solutions to the public issues, protect and foster the people, as well as fulfill people’s rights in accordance with the mandate of the constitution,” he said.
Third, in the age of disruption, the President urged all KORPRI members to adapt to changes and improve their competence to become trendsetters instead of being just followers.
In addition, the President said that KORPRI members must also be open and eliminate all egos, be it sectoral, regional, or science egos.
“The collaboration across organizations, across regions, across sciences, across professions is the key to facing future challenges. With technological advancements, there is no tolerance for complicated and slow services. Do not stick with old ways, immediately apply new ways instead, make the most of technology, and implement e-government. Technology has enabled services to be carried out faster and more accurately,” he said.
Fourth, KORPRI must continue to be a pivotal node of national unity and integrity.
The President reiterated that Indonesia is a pluralistic country consisting of various ethnic groups, religions, and cultures.
“The members of KORPRI are also diverse from all corners of the country. Therefore, KORPRI must serve as the force that unites the nation to build a harmonious order of life for the Indonesian people,” he said.
President Jokowi also expressed appreciation for the dedication KORPRI members have shown to provide services to the public.
“I would like to extend my highest gratitude and appreciation to all KORPRI members wherever they are, who carry out their duties with dedication and loyalty to realize the presence of the state in the communities through service and dedication,” the President remarked. (TGH/UN) (RIF/MUR)
