JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia (Ombudsman RI) participated in the Southeast Asian Ombudsman Forum (SEAOF) 2024 in Jakarta to discuss a proposed comparative study of public administration practices across Southeast Asia. This forum, held on Tuesday, November 12, is aimed at enhancing regional cooperation among ombudsman institutions and strengthening public service reforms.

Ombudsman RI Chairman Mokhammad Najih emphasized that the comparative study was initiated by the Philippine Ombudsman, following up on discussions during the SEAOF Meeting in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2023. The study aims to share valuable information and knowledge about the different approaches to handling public complaints and preventing maladministration in the region.

Najih highlighted that this comparative study would allow participating countries to learn from each other’s experiences, especially in addressing citizen grievances through informal resolution mechanisms and developing strategies to prevent maladministration. These insights are expected to benefit not only the ombudsman institutions but also the broader public administration systems in each country.

In his remarks, Najih also underscored the Ombudsman’s role in supporting bureaucratic reform in Indonesia. He stated that the Ombudsman’s primary duty is to ensure that the bureaucracy delivers fair, dignified, and transparent services without maladministration, ultimately benefiting the public. He noted that SEAOF plays a key role in strengthening this mission through international collaboration.

The SEAOF meeting, which began in 2020, provides a platform for ombudsman institutions from Southeast Asia to collaborate and share best practices. Through this cooperation, the Ombudsman RI aims to enhance its internal capacity and contribute to broader governance improvements in Indonesia, aligning with the country’s vision for achieving “Indonesia Emas 2045” (Golden Indonesia 2045).

In addition to discussing the comparative study, the SEAOF 2024 meeting also addressed the draft Jakarta Declaration, which outlines key principles for continued cooperation among member countries. The forum also featured proposals for training programs to be implemented in 2025, put forward by the Ombudsman of Thailand.

The meeting was attended by several key figures, including Samuel Martires, Chairman of the Ombudsman of the Philippines; Somsak Suwansujarit, Chairman of the Ombudsman of Thailand; Rigoberto Monteiro, Deputy Ombudsman for Good Governance of Timor Leste; and Peter Boshier, Chairman of the Ombudsman of New Zealand. The Indonesian Ombudsman serves as the current chair of SEAOF, while the other institutions are members, with New Zealand acting as an observer.

Ombudsman RI is also focused on enhancing cooperation in specific areas, such as public sector accountability and the prevention of corruption. The SEAOF framework aims to address regional challenges, including improving citizen engagement with government services and fostering better transparency in public administration.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue collaborating on various initiatives, including the comparative study and capacity-building programs. This ongoing partnership is seen as a significant step in enhancing regional governance standards and ensuring that ombudsman institutions across Southeast Asia can more effectively serve their populations. (Uki Ruknuddin)