Azwar Anas: Public Services are the Root of All Sectors

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

President Joko Widodo walks with Abdullah Azwar Anas after his inauguration as Minister of State Apparatus Empowerment and Bureaucratic Reform (Menpan-RB) at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (7/9/2022). Azwar Anas replaces Tjahjo Kumolo who died on July 1, 2022.

Having led Banyuwangi regency, his homeland on the eastern tip of Java Island, for four years, Abdullah Azwar Anas has made many changes and breakthroughs. This was reported by the Kompas daily on 7 June 2014, in an article titled “New Power from East Java”.

Two periods of leadership, 2010-2015 and 2016-2021, were enough for Azwar Anas to showcase his capabilities. The article mentions, “the various ideas and breakthroughs he made in Banyuwangi that were previously unnoticeable helped the region grow in strength.”

Now, the son of Banyuwangi born on 6 August 1973, has been appointed Minister for Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform, replacing Tjahjo Kumolo who died on 1 July due to illness.

Also read:

> President: All This is the Result of Working Together

> Budi Gunadi: Vaccination Is Not the Only Way to Overcome Pandemic

Prior to being inaugurated by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday (7/9/2022), the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) cadre that was proposed by chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, went to work as usual as the head of the National Public Procurement Agency (LKPP). Azwar Anas has served as the agency’s head since 13 January.

“Yes, in the morning I went to work as there was a meeting with echelon I and II [officials] concerning the progress of the e-catalogue. After that, there was a dress rehearsal at the palace. Once I was inaugurated, I went to the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry to formally accept the post and its duties from Prof Mahfud MD. Then, I had a meeting with the deputies,” he said.

Before getting into his car after the inauguration ceremony, while accompanied by his wife, Ipuk Fiestiandani, the father of Ahmad Daniel Azka was interviewed by Kompas. The following are excerpts from the interview, which were partially answered in writing.

How do we fulfill the President’s wish to become a bureaucracy that serves the public?

The mindset is the most important factor in a bureaucracy that serves the public, meaning that public services are the root of everything. If public services are good, the impact is felt everywhere—the country’s economy will continue to grow, health and education will be sound and so on. This is because everything is facilitated by a bureaucracy that serves the public. If all levels of the bureaucracy understood this, it would be astonishing.

KOMPAS/BAHANA PATRIA GUPTA

Abdullah Azwar Anas

Not merely transferring

One of the keys to a bureaucracy that serves the public is digitalization. The President’s directives were clear. A digital bureaucracy must continue to be developed. Such structures should be digitally-based and not just merely transferring work to digital applications. However, such transformations must also be followed by bureaucratic culture, which means that digital competence must also increase.

What efforts will you make?

We will work together on how to ensure the quality of public services are more equitable. The fact is, for example, there are regions with outstanding public services and there are others that may not be as good. One thing that the President emphasized is how the concept of a bureaucracy that serves the public can be optimized to ensure the success of priority programs, such as economic recovery and alleviation of poverty.

So far, this has bore fruit in Banyuwangi and the LKPP. Will these experiences be useful?

Of course I have some experience. I will later summarize and roughly describe which innovations are relevant to my current duties. Of course, I will adjust it to the context of my duties at the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry.

Also read:

> Ida Fauziyah: Layoff Should be the Last Option

> Indonesia Optimistic about G20 Achievements

How will civil servants’ neutrality be maintained ahead of the 2024 general elections?

When it comes to neutrality, it’s definitely non-negotiable. Civil servants must work professionally, carry out their duties in accordance with the President’s directive, namely in strengthening public services.

Then, while concurrently being head of the LKPP?

The President has said that the post will be filled soon.

What do you think the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Ministry is lacking in, so that civil servants’ professionalism can be strengthened in the future?

I will explain this matter in a day or two and immediately translate it into a measurable working mechanism. Who does what and when will all be executed in this program.

No messages needed

Shortly after the inauguration, President Jokowi also explained to the press his decision behind appointing Azwar Anas.

“We are all aware of his clear track record when he led the bureaucracy in Banyuwangi. I have seen a lot of innovations in its public services, such as identification cards [KTP] and licensing, among which can be implemented in markets and malls. I think he was among the first [to do so],” said the President.

A message to Pak Azwar Anas?

Again, this is about bureaucratic reform. Hence, work on it as soon as possible so that our bureaucracy becomes one that serves the public with high discipline. He doesn’t need any messages from me. He already knows what he has to do.

This article was translated by Kesya Adhalia.