Ombudsman issues 203 recommendations to improve public services

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ombudsman has issued 203 studies and recommendations for improvement to public service providers between 2021 and 2025 as part of efforts to prevent systemic maladministration.

Ombudsman member Nuzran Joher said in Jakarta on Wednesday that the studies and recommendations were prepared by the institution's headquarters and its 34 regional offices across the country.

"These recommendations are part of the Ombudsman's efforts to conduct early detection, identify root causes, and encourage public service providers to make improvements so that maladministration does not occur or recur," Joher said.

The remarks were delivered during the commemoration of the 2026 International Public Service Day in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to Joher, the Ombudsman's headquarters submitted 34 studies and recommendations to ministries, government agencies, and other public service providers.

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman's 34 regional offices delivered 169 studies and recommendations to public service providers at the local level.

Joher said the studies and recommendations serve as a supervisory instrument that not only addresses existing problems but also promotes systemic improvements in public service governance.

Among the strategic studies issued by the Ombudsman over the past five years was a review of the supervision of cross-border arrivals into Indonesia during the COVID-19 pandemic, submitted to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights in 2021.

In 2022, the Ombudsman issued a study on preventing maladministration in housing mortgage services provided by state-owned lender Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), which affected the issuance of property ownership certificates to consumers. The study was submitted to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing and PT Bank Tabungan Negara (Persero) Tbk.

Other studies included oversight of domestic hajj services submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs in 2023 and efforts to prevent human trafficking, which were presented to the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs in 2024.

In 2025, the Ombudsman issued recommendations on preventing human trafficking through strengthened immigration oversight, addressing several ministries and the Indonesian National Police.

Ombudsman Vice Chairman Rahmadi Indra Tektona said the institution's mandate extends beyond handling public complaints to preventing maladministration through recommendations submitted to the president, the House of Representatives (DPR), and other state institutions.

"We believe that improving public services cannot be accomplished by a single institution alone," Tektona said.

Chairman of the House Commission II, Rifqinizamy Karsayuda, expressed support for strengthening the Ombudsman's role in overseeing public service delivery.

According to him, budget constraints remain a challenge for the Ombudsman in carrying out its supervisory functions effectively.

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra said findings of maladministration should serve as an evaluation tool to improve service systems and procedures and prevent similar issues from recurring.

He added that the Ombudsman's studies and recommendations should be used as a basis for policymaking, while follow-up actions on recommendations must be implemented in a measurable and transparent manner.

Related news: President Prabowo appoints new Ombudsman members

Related news: Indonesia's Ombudsman urges Govt to fix school inequality

Translator: Agatha, Azis Kurmala

Editor: Arie Novarina

Copyright © ANTARA 2026