Revitalizing Bureaucracy in Central and Regional Government - Center for Geopolitic and Geostrategic Studies

Bureaucracy revitalization is a strategic and crucial agenda in building effective, efficient governance focused on high-quality public service delivery. In the context of the Indonesian government, this revitalization is not only part of administrative reform but also a key pillar in implementing the vision of national development.

Under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, through the vision and mission of Asta Cita, the importance of bureaucracy as the main instrument in achieving the eight national development goals has been firmly emphasized. Therefore, revitalizing bureaucracy must be viewed as a transformative effort integrated with the country’s long-term objectives.

Of the eight agendas, at least three directly address the essence of bureaucratic revitalization, namely the fourth, sixth, and seventh points. Bureaucratic reform is the core of the fourth Asta Cita, which is to strengthen political, legal, and bureaucratic reforms. In this context, revitalizing bureaucracy includes three main dimensions: structural, cultural, and procedural.

Structural reform focuses on simplifying government organizations, streamlining positions, and efficiently distributing authority between central and regional governments. This aligns with the spirit of decentralization in the Regional Government Law, which places regional bureaucracy as the main executor of public services.

Cultural reform aims at transforming bureaucratic values, from a work pattern that tends to be static, hierarchical, and bureaucratic to a more dynamic, collaborative, and results-oriented work culture. The bureaucratic work culture must shift from mere administrative compliance to excellent service based on values of integrity, professionalism, and accountability. In this regard, leadership at all levels of bureaucracy becomes crucial, as the success of cultural transformation highly depends on exemplary leadership.

Procedural reform promotes the digitalization of public services, the automation of work systems, and transparency in decision-making. This aligns with the seventh Asta Cita, which emphasizes the importance of accelerating digital transformation in government. The Prabowo-Gibran government is expected to drive the development of integrated e-government systems from central to regional levels. The goal is to provide public services that are fast, affordable, easily accessible, and with minimal abuse of authority.

Thus, bureaucratic revitalization is closely linked to the sixth Asta Cita, which is to build villages and strengthen regional autonomy. In this framework, regional bureaucrats should be positioned as the frontline in encouraging public participation, managing local potential, and ensuring inclusive basic services. Regional bureaucracy is expected not to be trapped in merely administrative work patterns.

Therefore, the central government must strengthen the planning, budgeting, and monitoring capacity at the regional level—this includes enhancing fiscal autonomy and the flexibility to manage regional finances in a transparent and accountable manner. Hence, decentralization of governance must be accompanied by decentralization of capacity. This means that regional bureaucracy needs to be given space to innovate, create local policy breakthroughs, and not merely act as technical executors of central government programs.

Revitalizing bureaucracy also means building a sustainable career development and recruitment system for State Civil Apparatus (ASN) based on merit in the regions. The Prabowo-Gibran government must encourage the emergence of regional leaders with managerial capacity, high integrity, and commitment to just public service.

Bureaucratic revitalization also supports the first Asta Cita in strengthening the nation’s defense and self-reliance. In the era of global competition and non-traditional threats such as cyber threats, terrorism, and climate crises, bureaucracy is no longer just a technical administrative executor but must also become a strategic actor capable of managing risks and national resilience adaptively. A strong and resilient bureaucracy is part of national power that supports diplomacy, defense, and sustainable development.

Thus, bureaucratic revitalization must be supported by a merit-based system that is consistent and free from political intervention. The implementation of ASN management based on performance, outcome-based evaluations, and reward based on contribution becomes an important tool in accelerating bureaucratic reform. Furthermore, strengthening internal oversight institutions such as the Inspectorate General and BPKP, along with the role of the KPK in fostering ASN integrity, is a key aspect in closing structural corruption gaps in bureaucracy.

However, there are still major challenges in bureaucratic revitalization, namely internal resistance, weak transformative leadership, and fragmented policies between central and regional governments. Therefore, synergy between institutions and consistency in policy direction are absolute requirements. The central government must provide clear guidance while allowing space for innovation, while regions must be able to interpret central policies according to local contexts.

In this regard, the roles of the Ministry of PAN-RB, BKN, LAN, and the Ministry of Home Affairs are highly strategic in orchestrating national bureaucratic reform efforts. Therefore, bureaucratic revitalization is not merely an administrative reform project but a fundamental foundation for achieving responsive, inclusive, and highly competitive governance.

In the context of President Prabowo Subianto’s vision of Asta Cita, bureaucratic revitalization becomes a strategic instrument to drive policy effectiveness, strengthen public service, and ensure all elements of governance work in harmony for the nation’s progress. To achieve this, bureaucratic revitalization must be carried out systematically, continuously, and supported by strong leadership and high political commitment to realize a sovereign, just, and prosperous Indonesia.

Prof. Dr. Ermaya Suradinata, SH, MH, MS, is the former Governor of Lemhannas RI (2001-2005) and former Director-General of Social Politics at the Ministry of Home Affairs of Indonesia (1998-2000). He is a Senior Expert at BPIP RI in the field of Geopolitics and Geostrategy for Government Management and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Center for Geopolitics & Geostrategy Studies Indonesia (CGSI).