Challenges to Merit-Based Civil Service Reform in Indonesia’s Local Governments

What is it about?

This study examines how fair and merit-based systems are applied in the management of government employees at the local level, using the Ogan Komering Ulu Regency in Indonesia as a case study. A merit-based system means that civil servants should be recruited, promoted, and evaluated on the basis of their skills, performance, and qualifications rather than personal connections or political influence. The research finds that although national rules in Indonesia strongly support merit-based civil service management, implementing these rules at the local level is challenging. Local governments face several obstacles, including limited budgets for training, shortages of skilled personnel, and political pressure that can influence hiring and promotion decisions. These problems impede efforts to ensure fairness, professionalism, and transparency in public administration. Through interviews, document analysis, and observations, the study shows that many civil servants do not yet fully understand how the merit system should work, and performance evaluations are often inconsistent or subjective. As a result, the potential benefits of a merit-based system such as better public services, higher employee motivation, and increased public trust are not fully achieved. The study offers practical recommendations, including improving training programs, using digital systems to monitor performance, strengthening oversight to reduce political interference, and encouraging cooperation between government departments. Overall, this research helps explain why merit-based reforms often struggle at the local level and provides clear guidance for policymakers and practitioners who want to build a fairer and more effective public service.

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Photo by Alan Martins on Unsplash

Photo by Alan Martins on Unsplash

Why is it important?

its close focus on how merit-based civil service reforms function—or fail to function—at the local government level. While many studies discuss meritocracy in general or from a national policy perspective, this research shows what happens on the ground within a real local government that faces political pressure, limited resources, and capacity constraints. By examining Ogan Komering Ulu Regency in detail, the study reveals practical barriers that are often hidden in high-level policy discussions. This article is particularly timely, as Indonesia has recently updated its Civil Servant Law (Law No. 20 of 2023), which strongly emphasizes merit-based management. As local governments are expected to comply with these new standards, many are struggling to translate national rules into daily administrative practice. This study arrives at a critical moment by explaining why these difficulties persist and what can realistically be done to address them. The article also stands out for its practical value. Rather than merely identifying problems, it offers concrete, achievable solutions, such as leadership training, digital performance monitoring, clearer recruitment rules, and stronger safeguards against political interference. These recommendations are directly relevant not only to Indonesian policymakers but also to other countries facing similar challenges in decentralized governance systems. By making the gap between policy ideals and real-world implementation visible, this study helps readers better understand why meritocracy matters, why it often falls short, and how it can be strengthened. This makes the article useful to academics, practitioners, and decision-makers alike, thereby increasing its relevance, readership, and potential impact.

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