IN THE JOURNAL | POINT OF VIEW
Reconstructing Indonesia: A journey toward dynamic governance
April-July 2016
By: Azhar Kasim

Second, pursue the transformative process of administrative reform, including the alignment of mission, strategy, structure, people and culture. Creating a public administration based on meritocracy that is able to create strong organizational capabilities to deliver public services effectively and efficiently is paramount. Public administration must be intensively modernized using information and communication technologies, so it is supported by updated and accurate data for making decisions and providing public services. For example, e–government. Through the application of the merit system and human resources development, public administration must be able to facilitate the process cycle of thinking ahead, thinking again and thinking across to create dynamic capabilities. There must be comprehensive affirmative action, for example, in Indonesia’s Papua region, based on real conditions in the field. Aspiring civil servants in Papua and West Papua provinces should be prepared from the beginning, before they even take the civil service entry exam, to ensure standard competence.

Third, corruption eradication must continue undeterred. The first priorities should be preventive measures to reduce the opportunities for corruption and the reform of the legal system and public administration, which also reduces opportunities for corruption. For example, decision makers could harmonize legislation and apply the principles of presumption of guilt for tax evasion and money laundering. Harmonizing anticorruption policies can serve as a driver for cultural change.

And fourth, Indonesia must better develop its national education system. In the long term, the development of an education system, from primary through higher education, is necessary to close the knowledge gap between Indonesia and developed countries. In particular, the system of higher education must produce a highly skilled work force (“knowledge workers”) and be a pioneer in advancing various fields of science. These highly educated people must be capable of thinking ahead, thinking across and thinking again. National development in Indonesia should prioritize integral human resources development – strong integrity, knowledge and good capabilities. Education development must be adapted to the social, cultural, economic and geographical conditions of the country’s regions to ensure more complete competency.

Developing a country is a “change process” that is dynamic, systemic and has a sustainable cycle of good governance. A governance system will remain relevant and effective if it is always innovative, adjusting and adapting to the changing needs of society within a constantly changing environment. That is especially true if there is a continuous alignment of able people, agile processes and, of course, a strong culture.

COMMENTS
Please login to leave a comment