PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Good governance must begin with individual awareness, integrity and freeing oneself from personal interests. Governance is not merely a set of procedures arranged in the form of SOP (standard operating procedure), then executed.

This was stated by the Acting Governor of West Java, Bey Machmudin, in his remarks at a workshop held by the West Java Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) Representative Office in the hall of the West Java BPKP Representative Office, Bandung City, Thursday (26/9/2024).

With the theme "Strengthening the Governance of BUMD, BLU/BLUD Health Services, and BUMDes for Optimal Contribution in the Implementation of Regional Development" it is a vital element in regional development.

"I begin this speech with an honest and firm criticism. This governance is often only understood as a set of procedures that are simply arranged in the form of SOPs, then implemented. After that we assume that governance has been implemented well," he said.

Bey said, governance that seeks to win a particular party in the procurement of goods with the correct governance process flow, then ultimately states that the governance has been carried out well. He called it a "mirage" governance.

"This kind of governance ("mirage") is just a dazzling illusion, as if it exists, but actually it doesn't exist. We carry out governance not only to avoid findings from BPKP or BPK," said Bey.

He also mentioned the parties who conducted negotiations in an effort to cover up deficiencies or errors or even delete them from the audit report documents.

"Such practices are the same as us lying to the public and even worse, lying to ourselves. Such attitudes and traits must be avoided by all of us," he said.

Service improved

In addition, Bey said, the services provided by BUMD also need to be improved. He reminded that BUMD was established not only to pursue profit, but also as part of community development.

"BUMD must be able to create jobs, not the other way around, becoming a burden that continues to ask for capital injections from the provincial government at all times due to weak performance and competitiveness," he said.

"This is actually a reflection of our inability to read and translate the increasingly competitive business world," Bey added.

He also said that the dividends given by BUMD to the West Java Provincial Government were very important.

According to him, this is real evidence that BUMD is able to contribute to regional development, not the other way around, becoming a burden.

"Every rupiah generated by BUMD must be returned to the community in the form of better services, more adequate infrastructure, and higher welfare," he said.

Bey hopes that this workshop will not only be a place for discussion, but can also be used as a place for reflection for each individual.

"Good governance is not only about obeying the rules, but also about morality, honesty, and our commitment to building a better region," he said.

"I hope that with this workshop, the management of BUMD, BLU/BLUD, and BUMDes will be more optimal so that it can have a greater impact on improving the economy of West Java," concluded Bey.