The National Civil Service Agency (BKN) is taking progressive steps to improve the management of the state civil apparatus. By adopting artificial intelligence (AI) technology and strengthening the e-PUPNS electronic platform, the government aims to close loopholes for nepotism and the practice of "insider recommendations" (titip orang) that has long been a classic issue in the Indonesian bureaucracy.
The integration of this system allows every stage of selection, from registration to placement, to be transparently monitored and audited. This step aligns with the government's commitment, coordinated by the Ministry of State Secretariat, to create a clean, professional, and publicly accountable bureaucracy.
As a form of firmness in enforcing discipline, this technology-based system has successfully identified and dismissed 128 state civil servants (ASN) proven to have committed work discipline and absenteeism violations. Although this policy has sparked debate, especially among civil servants who require adaptation time, the government views it as a crucial step toward national efficiency.
In addition to recruitment improvements, the single salary policy or single salary system has also begun to be socialized. This policy is expected to reduce the income gap that has previously triggered inequality. Based on AI technology data, the effectiveness of budget absorption for the 2025 fiscal year has reached 82.1%, showing that bureaucratic efficiency contributes positively to national macroeconomic health.
To ensure a smooth transition, BKN is urged to strengthen three strategic pillars: providing a public transparency dashboard, change management (change management) programs for civil servants, and a fair appeal mechanism for any disciplinary decisions. Mirroring the success of neighboring countries like Singapore and Malaysia, this modernization is expected to propel Indonesia to become a country with the most competitive bureaucracy in the Southeast Asian region.
