Alfi Dinilhaq, Bandung – In an era when most governments struggle to make bureaucrats more accountable, West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi believes he has found an unconventional solution: social media.
Starting next month, Dedi plans to publish the names of underperforming civil servants on the provincial government's Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) accounts – alongside a monthly list of top-performing employees.
The initiative, he insists, is not about public humiliation but public transparency.
"Those who work hard deserve open recognition," Dedi said at a government performance review in Bandung on Monday. "But those who don't, the people should know. We serve the public – not ourselves."
The policy – dubbed by some media outlets as the "lazy list" – will be based on attendance records and performance metrics, verified monthly by the Bureau of Organization and Bureaucratic Reform. The results will then be posted online for everyone to see.
Regional Secretary Elin Suharliah stressed that the process will be "strictly data-driven" to avoid unfair labeling. "No one will be named without verified evidence," she said. "Every decision will be based on objective data."
The governor, known for his populist style and flair for bold ideas, is no stranger to controversy. Earlier this year, he made headlines for sending misbehaving students to military-style discipline camps, arguing that Indonesia's next generation needed more structure and civic awareness.
Now, with this latest initiative, he's aiming to reform West Java's vast bureaucracy – one of the largest in Indonesia – by mixing old-fashioned accountability with modern visibility.
A pilot program will launch in November 2025 across three provincial agencies – the Health Office, Education Office, and Environmental Office – before expanding to all 27 districts and cities in early 2026.
Alongside the "lazy list," the province will also introduce a "Model Employee" feature, highlighting public servants who demonstrate exceptional discipline, creativity, and service quality.
"If people are proud to be called exemplary, they'll work harder. If they're embarrassed to be labeled lazy, they'll change," Dedi said.
The initiative has already sparked debate among civil servants and policy experts. Supporters call it a bold move toward accountability in a country where bureaucratic inefficiency remains a chronic challenge. Critics, however, warn that public shaming could backfire, damaging morale and potentially exposing employees to online harassment.
Still, Dedi appears unfazed. For him, the message is clear: public service must be public – in every sense of the word. "We're not punishing people," he said. "We're showing everyone what it means to serve with integrity."