Local Government Bureaucracy between Political Interests and Professionalism of the Apparatus

Abstract

The local government bureaucracy has an important role in the administration of government, especially in the implementation of public policies and services to the community. In practice, the bureaucracy often attracts political interests that can affect the professionalism of the apparatus. This condition raises the question of the position of the bureaucracy in local government, as well as how to maintain the neutrality of the apparatus so that the bureaucracy continues to work professionally. This research aims to analyze the legal position of bureaucracy in local government, as well as examine the importance of the neutrality of the state civil apparatus in maintaining bureaucratic professionalism. The research method used is a normative juridical research method with a qualitative approach. The results of the discussion show that the bureaucracy has a strategic position as the implementer of government policies as well as a liaison between the state and the community in the implementation of public services. But in practice, the close relationship between political power and the bureaucracy often gives rise to bureaucratic politicization. This has the potential to reduce professionalism and weaken the principle of neutrality of the state civil apparatus. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the merit system, increase supervision, and enforce the principle of bureaucratic neutrality so that the implementation of local government can run professionally, transparently, and oriented to the interests of the community.