For the Sake of Jakarta

Jakarta acting Governor Heru Budi Hartono’s self-determination to optimize public services may become a signal in the provincial administration's commitment to improve governance to deliver for Jakartans.

FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Lidya (left) an East Jakarta resident complained about land issues to DKI Jakarta Provincial Government officials at the DKI Jakarta City Hall pavilion, Tuesday (18/10/2022)..

In a statement on Sunday (1/1/2023), Heru Budi encouraged residents to welcome and enter 2023 with refreshed spirit to be manifested in synergy and active participation for the sake of national unity and the advancement of Jakarta and Indonesia.

"The year 2022 was full of challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic could be handled with synergy and cooperation. Let's take care of Jakarta, build Jakarta and advance Jakarta for Indonesia," he said (Kompas, 2/1/2023).

He has appealed for the state civil apparatus to always seek improvement in public services, starting from the subdistrict neighborhood as the vanguard of the local government. He has pledged his commitment to professionalism and good governance in serving the people.

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> Jakarta, Now and Ahead

> Heru Budi Hartono, Floods, Traffic and Spatial Planning

Heru Budi is looking to heighten inspection and monitoring over public services in the hope that he can delve into the people’s aspirations and instill feedback through apparatus and residents’ engagement. “The quality of service must continue to improve. Innovation and creativity must continue to be pursued in order to meet the public's needs," he said.

The government works to serve the people. Administrative officials should be willing, if necessary, to sacrifice or put on hold their own desires for conveniences to prioritize work for the people’s welfare. Therefore, Heru's pledge to serve the public deserves positive responses. The public is certainly enthusiastic about this statement and curious about it being realized into work in the days to come.

KOMPAS/PRIYOMBODO

Heru Budi Hartono

Heru and his staff have begun to pay off their promises about public-oriented governance through a number of policies aiming to bring improvement in public services. In mid-October 2022, the administration reopened the help desk at City Hall to accommodate residents’ complaints. This move shortens bureaucracy, given that residents previously had to go to districts or subdistricts to file complaints.

Not long after the opening of the help desk service, the administration moved ahead with flood mitigation efforts by dredging the Ciliwung River. The dredging work at the river and several waterways, as found in Bukit Duri, Tebet, South Jakarta, has been intensified in anticipation of flooding during the rainy season.

Also read:

> The Homework of Overcoming Jakarta Floods

The acting governor is like a conductor in a music concert. His role is to ensure that his City Hall staff play their parts simultaneously in maintained tempo. This role can be analogous to the leadership of an organization that drives the transformation of organizational culture.

The governor sets the tone in overhauling a work culture for betterment. The statements, expressions, utterances and directions of top executives become the "tone" that affects the cultural transformation movement within the administration.

Heru Budi's self-determination about public services’ optimization is an important "tone" that the public has been waiting for. More than just a statement, the public is waiting for further “work the talk” for a better Jakarta and Indonesia.

This article was translated by Musthofid.