Twenty-five years of reform have marked a long journey for Indonesia in realizing the ideals of independence: protecting the entire nation, enlightening lives, and achieving social justice. But what exactly does the presence of government look like in this dynamic reform era?

One thing is certain: a fundamental transformation is underway. The government is no longer solely positioned as a regulator and servant, but has now transformed into a partner of the people. This is not merely a slogan, but a logical consequence of democracy and the complexities of an era that demands collaboration across sectors and actors.

Transforming Roles: From Regulating to Empowering

New Public Governance (Osborne, 2006) has replaced the older New Public Management approach in modern public administration. Osborne emphasizes that the public sector is not just about bureaucratic efficiency, but about co-production– the joint delivery of public services with citizens. The government cannot tackle today’s challenges alone, whether the climate crisis, economic inequality, or the digital transformation.

This shift is reflected in policy trends that increasingly welcome public participation, decentralization to regional governments, and partnerships with civil society and the private sector. The government has learned that Regional Gross Domestic Product (RGDP) is not the work of a single institution but the cumulative result of contributions from all actors within the system.

Learning from Experience: The Spirit of "Working Together with the People"

This transformation is not just theoretical. During my tenure as Regent of Bojonegoro (2008–2018), I witnessed firsthand how governance rooted in genuine collaboration can create a significant impact. We championed the spirit of “Working Together with the People”-not as empty jargon, but as a systemic approach implemented in concrete ways.

Bojonegoro was selected as one of 15 pioneering sub-national regions globally in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) initiative. This was not a symbolic achievement, but a recognition of how local government opened itself up: sharing data, involving the communities in planning, and ensuring transparency in resource management.

The results spoke for themselves. In eight years, poverty rates dropped by nearly 50%. This success was not solely due to bureaucratic policies but emerged from cooperation among diverse development actors—farmers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and village officials alike. We didn't just design programs from offices; we engaged directly with citizens, listening to their needs and co-creating solutions.

The State as an Entity of Production and Life Investment

To truly collaborate with the people, the government must shift its mindset. One relevant approach is viewing the state as an entity of production—an ecosystem that generates value. In this framework, the state must safeguard its foundational capital: nature, human resources, social cohesion, spiritual values, and infrastructure.

This aligns with the Five Capitals framework from the UK’s Forum for the Future: natural, human, social, manufactured, and financial capital. Public policies should protect these five assets to ensure genuinely sustainable development. For instance, traditional poverty alleviation often focuses on social assistance. Today, however, the government treats poverty as a systemic failure to generate income. The solution? Quality education, entrepreneurship, and expanded market access—not just subsidies.

From "Money Follows Function" to "Money Follows Mission"

A similar shift is occurring in budgeting. While the old paradigm was money follows function (budget follows structure), the new approach is money follows mission—allocating resources based on solving people's problems. As innovation economist Mariana Mazzucato (UCL) argues, "Governments must dare to be mission-oriented, creating systemic solutions that the market cannot provide."

Examples include Indonesia Sehat (Healthy Indonesia) and Indonesia Pintar (Smart Indonesia), which tackle root causes- access to healthcare and education. The goal is not just output, but outcome— a healthy, educated, productive, and sustainably prosperous society.

Conclusion: Toward an Enlightened Government

Moving forward, the government's role will become even more complex. It must be more than a protector or a servant—it must also be an empowerer, an enlightener, and a driver of progress. The government should catalyze the people’s potential—an institution that inspires hope, fosters collaboration, and ensures sustainability.

The post-reform transformation of governance is not merely bureaucratic; it is a paradigm shift:

- From dominating to mobilizing,

- From bureaucracy to an ecosystem of solutions,

- From power holder to partner in change.

This is the new face of government we need to realize true independence: just, sustainable, and capable of bringing happiness to all its people.

Jakarta, May 20, 2025

By: Suyoto (Kang Yoto)

Regent of Bojonegoro (2008–2018), Muhammadiyah Cadre, Educator-Politician, Chancellor of United In Diversity (UID) Foundation