The formation of new ministerial nomenclature in government is often in the spotlight, especially when this step is not based on adequate academic studies.
UPN Veteran Jakarta Public Policy Expert Achmad Nur Hidayat said that in the context of good governance, this kind of structural change should consider various important aspects, such as effectiveness, efficiency and the relevance of the bureaucracy to the needs of the people.
“Unfortunately, if the formation of a ministry is driven more by a president’s personal taste or preferences, the risks faced could be very large. The impact of a decision like this is not only short term but also has the potential to cause serious problems in the long term,” said Achmad, today.
One of the biggest dangers when the formation of a new ministry or agency simply follows the president’s tastes is the loss of a strong academic basis on which to base decisions.
The formation of ministries should go through an in-depth evaluation process, involving experts from various scientific disciplines, especially in the fields of state administration and public policy.
Academic knowledge is essential to ensure that the formation of ministries is truly relevant and efficient in dealing with the social, economic and political challenges facing the country.
Also read: Prabowo’s fat cabinet is considered not to be a burden on the state budget
“However, when academic foundations are ignored and decisions are based more on personal preferences or political calculations, there will be a buildup of bureaucratic structures which will actually slow down government performance,” said Achmad.
Government bureaucracy is a machine that should function professionally and objectively. Bureaucracy has rules and systems designed to serve the interests of society at large.
Therefore, the bureaucracy must not become a victim of change based solely on a president’s likes and dislikes. The stable and consistent nature of bureaucracy requires mature decisions guided by strong data and analysis.
Also read: Prabowo hasn’t contacted him yet, Cak Imin: PKB knows itself about ministerial quotas
The creation of new ministries that only suit the tastes of the supreme leader has the potential to undermine this order.
A clear example of the negative impact of forming ministries based on the president’s tastes is the overlap in authority and inefficiency in carrying out their duties.
“The formation of new ministries without proper consideration often creates a situation where several ministries have overlapping roles and responsibilities,” said Achmad.
Also read: Fattening the Cabinet is Inefficient and a Burden on State Finances
So when the tasks of a new ministry are not clearly defined, it will be difficult for the bureaucracy to function effectively.
This overlap not only confuses civil servants who work within the bureaucracy, but also hampers the decision-making process that should be fast and precise.
In addition, the formation of ministries based solely on presidential preferences can result in inefficient budget allocations.
Every ministry needs resources, both human and financial resources, to carry out its functions well.
The haphazard formation of new ministries will cause the state budget to be drained to finance the operations of ministries that may not actually be needed.
“The budget allocation that could have been used for programs that have a wider impact on people’s welfare is instead used up to fund a bureaucratic structure that is too large,” said Achmad.
Another risk is a decline in the quality of public services. When the bureaucracy is filled with ministries that are formed only because of the president’s political wishes or preferences, the bureaucracy’s focus will be divided and it will become ineffective in providing services to the community.
Instead of focusing on efforts to improve people’s quality of life, the bureaucracy will be busy managing internal structures that are not relevant to real needs in the field.
“This will create dissatisfaction among the community because they do not get adequate services from the government,” said Achmad.
In addition, presidents who subjectively form ministries based on personal desires can also create dangerous dependencies within the bureaucracy.
Civil servants will feel that their career decisions, even the continuation of their positions, depend largely on whether or not they are liked by the president.
“This can result in bad morality among bureaucrats, where their professional integrity is put at risk in order to seek a “like” from the president. In fact, the bureaucracy must function independently of anyone’s political preferences and prioritize the public interest,” said Achmad.
Overall, the creation of a ministry that has no academic basis and is based solely on the president’s preferences is a high-risk move.
Stable and effective government requires a carefully designed bureaucratic structure, based on scientific studies and valid data.
A professional bureaucracy must be protected from excessive political intervention, especially of a subjective nature.
If the decision to form a new ministry is not based on careful consideration, not only the bureaucracy will be affected, but also the quality of government and services to the community.
“In the end, the losers are the people who should be the beneficiaries of efficient and accountable government performance,” said Achmad. (Try/P-2)
#Cabinet #Expansion #Supported #Academic #Studies
