Discretion, Appeal and Policy

NORBERTUS ARYA DWIANGGA MARTIAR

The Head of the Indonesian National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, at a press conference at the Cikampek Utama Toll Gate, Saturday (7/5/2022). The National Police Chief stated that the one-way traffic engineering would be extended.

The government's call for civil servants to work from home (WFH) is one effort that aims to reduce traffic density as millions of people return from celebrating Idul Fitri in their hometowns.

There is no data on the potential impact on the policy on arus balik (mudik/exodus return traffic). However, most media reports indicate that arus balik has been relatively smooth, despite severe congestion on regular and arterial roads as a result of the one-way traffic system and rerouted traffic to facilitate mudik return traffic from Java to Sumatra.

We respect the traffic management policy of National Police chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, the decision made by Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Tjahjo Kumolo to require WFH for civil servants, as well as the Manpower Minister Ida Fauziah’s call on private companies to allow WFH for employees. However, according to media reports, there has been confusion in implementing these policies.

Also read:

> Future ‘Mudik’ Traffic Management Could Be More Comprehensive

> Flexible Approach Applied to Toll Road Traffic

As this daily reported on Monday, 9 May 2022, not all civil servants are permitted to work from home. A number of regional leaders in Tangerang, Bekasi and Jakarta are still waiting for circulars and technical instructions from the central government to apply the WFH policy.

"We cannot immediately follow the advice of the Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister because the regional heads have warned about sanctions against civil servants who do not return to work as required after Idul Fitri,” said Taufik Hidayat, head of the Bekasi Civil Registry Office in West Java (Kompas, 9 May 2022).

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI

Traffic density on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road, ahead of the Km 62 rest area, Karawang, West Java, Sunday (8/5/2022).

We can learn several things from the management of the outbound and return mudik traffic for Idul Fitri holidaymakers. The government has used projections on the number of people and vehicles in its traffic management policy. Using data to determine policy should be appreciated. However, it must be acknowledged that as the government’s policy discretion and approach have not been properly communicated to the public, these policies have caused congestion on a number of toll and arterial roads.

The call to WFH aims to reduce traffic density during mudik return travel. However, it is difficult to implement effectively, especially for civil servants. There is a dualism here: Who should apply the policy? The minister, or the regional head? It is not easy to make such a decision.

Also read:

> Government Prepares Alternative Ports for Returning Travellers

> President Urges People to Avoid Peak Times During ‘Mudik’ Return Trips

Although the pandemic has changed many things, including patterns of work, it turns out that the bureaucratic work culture is still the old one. A regulation on the technical implementation of policies is still needed to ensure uniform execution. At present, such instruction should be in the form of a written document, but with the advancement of technology, it could actually be replaced with a digital form.

We are grateful the outbound and return mudik traffic during Idul Fitri this year has been managed well, thanks to good coordination among the relevant institutions. However, in future, a comprehensive plan on mudik traffic management must be established, including arranging the post-holiday schedule for employees, especially civil servants, to return to work. The WFH concept can be implemented while still prioritizing discipline and productivity.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.