Strengthening Ombudsman Institutions of the Republic of Indonesia to Increase Protection of Citizens’ Rights in Public Services

This paper aimed to identify and discuss the weaknesses of the ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia and its strengthening efforts. To obtain the objectives, the authors conducted both normative and empirical study by studying various laws and documents related to the institution. The facts obtained were analyzed using juridical and qualitative analysis methods. The result showed various weaknesses in both juridical and empirical aspects. The juridical weakness can be seen from the legal basis for of Ombudsman which is still weak. The empirical weaknesses include: a. the lack of socialization of ombudsman institution of the Republic of Indonesia; b. ineffectiveness of the ombudsman recommendation; c. the lack of independence and impartiality of the ombudsman institution; and e. limited ombudsman institutions. To strengthen ombudsman institutions of the Republic of Indonesia, it is necessary to: a. include an Article in the 1945 Constitution which regulates the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia; b. do continuous socialization efforts related to the function and procedure of public complaints to Ombudsman; c. provide strict supervision on the implementation of the Ombudsman’s recommendations by the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia as well as by the community; d. increase the commitment of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia to avoid interference of power aimed at influencing the performance of the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia; and e. establish an Ombudsman in the districts and municipalities, especially those with maladministration cases