By: Maya Paramitha*
President Prabowo Subianto emphasized his commitment to continuing the comprehensive reform agenda, from governance and law enforcement to strengthening civil supremacy in national life. This commitment demonstrates that reform is not merely understood as administrative change, but rather a major effort to build state institutions that are professional, clean, and pro-people interests.
President Prabowo’s reform agenda is also seen as a crucial step to ensure the state bureaucracy is able to move more adaptively in facing global challenges. Amidst international economic competition, the development of digital technology, and the threat of transnational crime, the state requires strong, responsive, and effective institutions. Therefore, institutional reform is not only relevant to the internal needs of the government but also plays a crucial role in strengthening national competitiveness.
Ahmad Dofiri, a member of the National Police Reform Acceleration Commission, stated that President Prabowo’s vision is not limited to reforming one institution, but encompasses all state institutions so that they can function effectively and in line with the principles of modern democracy. This comprehensive approach is considered crucial to ensure that reforms are systemic and do not stop at partial changes.
He believes that institutional reform must be directed at strengthening the quality of public services while maintaining civil supremacy as the primary foundation of a democratic state. In a healthy democratic system, every state institution is required to operate professionally, comply with the law, and uphold the interests of the public above those of particular groups. Civil supremacy is a crucial element to ensure that all state policies remain in accordance with the constitutional mandate and democratic principles that guarantee public rights.
The spirit of reform is also closely linked to efforts to eradicate corruption, which has long been a major challenge in governance. President Prabowo’s administration is seen as strongly committed to strengthening the oversight system, increasing bureaucratic transparency, and closing loopholes for abuse of authority that can harm both the state and the public. These efforts are crucial because corruption not only impacts the state’s economy but can also hinder development and undermine public trust in government institutions.
In this context, institutional reform addresses not only organizational structures but also the work culture of state officials. Integrity, professionalism, and accountability are key values that must be strengthened so that each institution can optimally carry out its constitutional mandate. Without a change in bureaucratic culture, reforms risk remaining merely symbolic without generating any real impact on society.
This transformation in work culture also needs to be accompanied by improvements in the quality of human resources within government. State officials are required to possess competence, discipline, and the ability to adapt to technological changes and the evolving needs of society. With a modern and professional bureaucracy, public services are expected to be faster, more efficient, and free from maladministration.
The Chairman of the Commission for the Acceleration of National Police Reform, Jimly Asshiddiqie, believes that the reform agenda needs to be expanded to encompass legal and judicial institutions as a whole. He believes that strengthening the legal system is a crucial prerequisite for creating legal certainty and maintaining public trust in the state.
He emphasized that the rule of law can only be achieved if law enforcement officers, judges, and the entire judicial system possess strong integrity. Therefore, reforms in the legal sector must go hand in hand with strengthening consistent oversight and evaluation mechanisms to effectively prevent corruption and abuse of authority.
This perspective demonstrates that President Prabowo’s reform agenda is aimed at strengthening the foundations of democracy while ensuring that the state provides justice to all citizens. When state institutions operate professionally and are free from corrupt practices, national stability and public trust will be strengthened. Maintaining legal certainty will also positively impact the investment climate and national economic growth.
Furthermore, institutional reform also requires synergy between institutions so that government policies can be implemented effectively and are not hampered by sectoral egos. Strong coordination is key to creating a government that is responsive to the needs of the community, especially amidst increasingly complex global dynamics and social challenges this synergy is crucial for development programs to be directed, efficient, and on target.
Public participation in overseeing reforms also plays a crucial role in ensuring the improvement process is transparent and consistent. Public criticism, input, and oversight are part of a healthy democratic mechanism. With public involvement, reform becomes not just an agenda of the government elite, but a collective movement to strengthen the quality of state governance.
Ultimately, the success of reforms is largely determined by consistent implementation and the courage to uphold the principles of good governance. Reform is not merely a political slogan, but rather a continuous process to ensure the country operates on the principles of civil supremacy, law enforcement, and a government free from corruption.
With President Prabowo’s commitment to maintaining the spirit of reform, strengthening civil supremacy, and eradicating corruption, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to build state institutions that are more credible, responsive, and trusted by the public. This major agenda serves as an important foundation for realizing a strong and democratic government for a better future for the nation.
)* Bureaucratic Reform Observer