Anomaly of Bureaucracy Officials as Servants

Anomaly of Bureaucracy Officials 

as Servants

A. INTRODUCTION

The implementation of bureaucracy in each country varies depending on the system of government adopted by each country. In terms of language, the term bureaucracy comes from the French "bureau" which means office or desk; and from the Greek "cratein" which means to regulate. Initially, this term was used to refer to a systematic work activity that is regulated or governed by an office through public activities, bureaucracy is called "civil service". It is also often referred to as the public sector, public service or public administration.

B. THE CONCEPT OF BUREAUCRACY

The implementation of bureaucracy in each country is different depending on the government system adopted by each country. Bureaucracy in developed and developing countries can be seen from the provision of public services by the government to the community such as the procurement of goods and services, especially in the fields of transportation, health services, administrative services, and the provision of free education.

Bureaucracy is an important instrument in modern society whose presence is inevitable. The existence of this bureaucracy as a logical consequence and the main task of the state (government) to carry out social welfare (social welfare). The state is demanded to be involved in producing goods and services needed by its people (public goods and services) both directly and indirectly, even in certain circumstances the state decides what is best for its people. For this reason, the state builds an administrative system that aims to serve the interests of its people, which is called the bureaucracy.

C. GENERAL BUREAUCRATION OF INDONESIA

In developing countries, the type of bureaucracy idealized by Max Weber does not seem to be able to develop and run well. As one of the developing countries, Indonesia is not free from the reality of the dilapidated implementation of the public service itself. Even though they are familiar with modern bureaucracy, long before that, Indonesian people already knew and applied a kind of aristocratic feudal "royal bureaucracy". So that in an effort to apply modern bureaucracy, what happens is only the external form, not the value system. As applied in Indonesia it is closer to Weber's understanding of "patrimonial domination", where position and behavior in the hierarchy are based more on personal relationships.

The characteristics of Weber's patrimonial domination which almost entirely occur in Indonesia include:

1) Officials are screened for personal performance.

2) Position is seen as a source of power or wealth.

3) Officials control, both political and administrative functions.

4) Every action is directed by personal and political relations.

One description to restore the role of bureaucracy in its proportional function is by encouraging proper behavior (friendly behavior) in bureaucracy. Which means placing the position of the bureaucracy in the position and authority, namely as an instrument of the state administrators carrying out state duties in accordance with their functions and objectives.

D. POLITICS AND POWER IN BUREAUCRACY IN INDONESIA

Politics is closely related to power in the bureaucracy in the dynamics of the Indonesian government like an inseparable unity. The relationship between power politics and bureaucracy can be seen from the early history of the formation of this country, from the kingdom, colonial era until after independence. Political and power tensions have a strong influence on the shift in the function and role of the bureaucracy so far. Bureaucracy which is supposed to work to serve and side with the people develops into serving the authorities with political and power alignments. Until now, the government's strong influence on the bureaucracy makes it difficult for officials as a bureaucratic tool to provide professional public services, vulnerable to attraction of political interests, or KKN.

The people at this time are still of the view that bureaucracy is the same as the government. Though both are different and cannot be equated. In the Indonesian context, the distinction between bureaucracy or state administration from the government is indeed not commonly heard. Any mistake or misunderstanding that makes the executive role remains dominant and has full power over the bureaucracy along with the roots of power that spread throughout all state institutions up to the lower hierarchy. In this article I try to correct this mistake by encouraging an understanding that the bureaucracy is not subordinate or an extension of the government. Bureaucracy is a state tool that needs to have its own rules and is supported by separate laws or regulations. Therefore, the relationship between the bureaucracy and the executive must be arranged in such a way that the bureaucracy truly works as a servant of the state and not as a servant of power. Bureaucratic politics, if you can say that, is a politics of state and not a politics of power.

Power is the authority obtained by a person or group to carry out that authority in accordance with the authority given, the authority must not be exercised beyond the authority obtained or the ability of a person or group to influence the behavior of other people or groups in accordance with the wishes of the perpetrators (Miriam Budiardjo, 2002 ).

Power is the ability to influence others to think and behave according to the will that gives influence (Surbakti, Rmalan 1992).

Power is in the hands of officials who have an authority over their duties. Officials are people who occupy certain positions in the government bureaucracy. The authority of this official is very decisive, because all matters related to the position, it is the people who are in the office that determine it. Before understanding the power in the bureaucracy. A position is arranged in a hierarchical order from top to bottom. greater power than positions in the lower level. All positions are complete with facilities that reflect these powers. Outside the official hierarchy of officials and positions are stranded on the people in power before these bureaucratic officials. That is why government bureaucracy is often called the official kingdom far from official people.

One view that needs to be done is the bureaucratic view of power which tends to make the bureaucracy a sacred force. Power in a bureaucracy that is manifested in an official position can be very frightening, and almost impossible to be penetrated by a very weak layer of society before the bureaucratic power. Power here is like a bureaucracy which becomes very sacred. Acts make the government bureaucracy sacred can hardly be avoided by Indonesians. All matters small to large always require the legitimacy of government bureaucracy. The people need and obtain good fortune and services are always associated with officials, employees and actors of government bureaucracy. All contractors or partners from small natives to conlimates who are descendants need fortune through these bureaucratic officials. Small people to large numbers need a KTP, IMB marriage certificate, divorce papers, land certificates or other forms of licensing always find these officials. Those who served held power like a king whose power was not owned by the people. The people need services, officials have the power to distribute these services.

In Indonesia, this power hierarchy is wrapped with a patrimonial or patrimonial system so that the bureaucratic power practice becomes even thicker. Officials in the position below do not dare to act if they do not get permission and guidance from top officials, unless there is a massive movement to overthrow or confront top officials. All official letters originating from lower level hierarchy officials always end with sweet words like 'requesting guidance and guidance' from top hierarchy officials. Our bureaucratic behavior is always colored by the attitude of "Nyuwun Sewu" (asking for a thousand), such as Javanese people who want to pass through or pass before people who are older than him. This is a polite attitude or proper behavior that must be carried out by Javanese people whose power is more lower than the person who was asked for "Nyuwun Sewu". Thus asking for guidance is a polite attitude that must be shown so as not to exceed the power that does not exceed the power that is outside his power.

There is no sense of guilt or clubbing when asking for these instructions. Officials do not have the slightest doubt to be said to have no initiative or creativity, as is generally a measure for rational management which is also another feature of the bureaucratic version of the weberian. Polite attitudes that deviate from rational attitudes are often found in the practice of government bureaucracy. This attitude takes refuge in power which is in the hierarchy, all of which have special privileges in the form of power facilities themselves.

E. CONCLUSION

The destruction of the bureaucratic order is what then always raises the discourse to continue to raise issues that are ideological about bureaucratic reform. Bureaucracy in Indonesia is still very far from the ideal word and accommodates what is expected by our society. The public service sector and its apparatus are a scourge for the public in dealing with the government. Here it is very clear that we need the realization of a comprehensive bureaucratic reform from the lower levels to the leadership strata which, according to the author, our bureaucratic conditions are like tumors that are increasingly becoming vicious because they only benefit a handful of power-hungry people and make the marginal suffer more.

Bibliography

Budiarjo, Miriam. 2002. Dasar-Dasar Ilmu Politik ,Jakarta : PT. Gramedia Pustaka Utama

Surbakti, Ramlan.  1992. Memahami Ilmu Politik ,Jakarta :  Gramedia Widya Sarana .

Weber, Max. 1946. Bureaucracy from Max Weber. Hans Gerth and C. Wright Mills, (eds.) New York:  Oxford University Press.