In the context of implementing bureaucratic reform, there are several barriers that need to be dealth with. First, there are no legal tools to regulate public service standards that must be met by the government. Second, all levels of bureaucracy tend to be involved in corrupt activities. Third, the culture and ethics of human resources are still conventional and traditional. Fourth, the inability to involve stakeholders to participate in the monitoring of policies.
The most phenomenal examples of these barriers are the tax evasion cases and the legal case-brokering cases involving one of government institutions. The cases have revealed that many parties were involved. The cases reconfirm that bureaucratic reform is not guaranteed, even though it is supported by power, system, and funds. Bureaucratic reform faces difficulties in changing the culture and ethics of the corrupt bureaucrats.
This edition of the Indonesian Update raises a main theme on bureaucratic reform. The Indonesian Update also talks ablut some important topics from several fields. On the economy and finance, it discusses land disputes and electicity tarrifs. On the legal affairs, it talks about the case brokers. On politics, it talks about the Democratic Party’s national congress and challenges it faces. On social affairs, it discusses the public order police and the revocation of the Law on the Education Legal Entity.