The Covid-19 pandemic is really a test of the reliability of bureaucracy in many countries. The fight against this invisible enemy requires speed, accuracy and simultaneity.
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·3 minutes read
Different measures have been taken by countries across the world to respond to this coronavirus pandemic. No country has taken measures with full confidence because there is no available reference. However, amid the uncertainty, some have been able to take fast and simultaneous steps, some have been slow and partial, and some are involved in infighting.
This is not only the case in developing countries. Many developed countries have stuttered in dealing with the pandemic, even the world’s only superpower, the United States.
Indonesia faces a very big challenge. Its large and diverse population and its massive and unique territory are a problem. Not to mention its economic strength, which is still minimal and its system of governance, which is not yet fully steady with several continuous improvements, starting from the regional autonomy system to the election system for the head of government.
No country has taken measures with full confidence because there is no available reference.
In responding to visible and local disasters such as floods, we often feel that there is still a lot of miscoordination. Not surprisingly, something similar happened with the handling of the coronavirus outbreak, which is invisible and simultaneous.
The issuance of a circular from the Transportation Management Agency of Greater Jakarta, No. 5/2020, dated 1 April, 2020, which regulates restrictions on the use of public transportation to and from Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi during the Covid-19 pandemic, is the latest case. A number of regional heads were confused about it, and so was the public when they got the circular through WhatsApp chat groups.
One characteristic of a modern bureaucracy is the existence of a strict hierarchical structure from top to bottom and clear delegation of authority according to its responsibilities. Regulation is clear and understood by all. All personnel, from top to bottom, meet the standards. The last case shows that all these things have not yet materialized.
Max Weber said that in traditional countries the authority only exists at the center of power. Delegation of power is also based on friendship, not on the basis of clear rules, often obscuring between public interest and personal or group interests. Perhaps, we are still at that stage.
In fact, to overcome this pandemic, we need super-modern bureaucratic reliability, even integrated with technological sophistication. Considering that the pandemic has not subsided and may continue to increase to its peak, all levels of the bureaucracy on all fronts should immediately unite and tidy up.
It is time for all levels of the bureaucracy, from the center to the regions, to show the world that Indonesia is a great nation. We have a long tradition of united, gotong royong (cooperation) and willing to sacrifice. Rawe-rawe rantas malang-malang putung (prepared to clear out path to reach goals).