Journal of Social and Policy Issues

Sustainable Strategies for Urban Waste Management: Examining the Implementation of the ‘Broh Jeut Keu Peng’ Public Policy in Lhokseumawe City

2025-11-05T04:42:44+00:00

This study examines strategies for sustainable urban waste management through the implementation of the “Broh Jeut Keu Peng” (Waste Becomes Money) policy in Lhokseumawe City. Introduced through Qanun No. 1 of 2015 on Waste Management, the policy aims to address persistent challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, low community participation, and weak stakeholder coordination. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews, field observations, and document analysis to explore how the policy is being translated into practice. The findings reveal that despite having strong legal legitimacy, the policy remains in its early implementation phase. Benchmarking activities, such as visits to Banyumas, an area known for its advanced waste management system, have been conducted, but concrete actions in Lhokseumawe are still limited. The policy outlines four strategic components: (1) educational efforts promoting the 3R concept and environmental awareness grounded in local culture; (2) technical and infrastructural improvements, including strengthened TPS facilities, transportation fleets, and area-based TPS3R development; (3) economic incentives through waste banks, compost production, and reward-and-punishment mechanisms; and (4) collaborative engagement involving government bodies, community leaders, religious figures, the informal sector, and private stakeholders. In conclusion, the “Broh Jeut Keu Peng” policy holds strong potential for sustainable waste management, but its success requires effective implementation, improved facilities, consistent public education, and coordinated multi-actor collaboration.

Reconstructing Cultural Tourism Destinations and Communication Strategies for the Development of a National-Level Cultural Tourism Area in Gegesik, Cirebon Regency, West Java Province

2025-06-15T04:19:06+00:00

The development of culture-based tourism has emerged as a key strategy for enhancing the competitiveness of regional destinations, including Cirebon Regency. Gegesik was chosen as the research site due to its rich artistic and cultural heritage, yet it faces challenges such as the absence of representative tourism amenities and limited human resources in tourism management. This study aims to formulate a revitalization concept for the Gegesik town square as a cultural attraction center and to design a communication strategy for developing culture-based tourism at the national level. Using an exploratory qualitative approach, data were collected through documentation, field observations, in-depth interviews with community leaders and local officials, and focus group discussions with academics, artists, and agencies. Analysis employed a communication science perspective to examine interaction patterns, community participation, and message delivery. Findings reveal the square serves as a hub for cultural, artistic, religious, and social activities, with 74 intangible cultural heritage forms, 80 local culinary types, and active art studios. However, its physical condition requires revitalization based on local wisdom. The ACADA model (Assessment, Communication Analysis, Design, Action) guided the formulation of educational tourism programs such as school cultural visits. The study emphasizes combining physical revitalization with participatory communication to strengthen Gegesik’s image as a cultural tourism destination, with recommendations for consistent government support, community capacity building, and sustainable educational initiatives.

Creative and Adaptive Marketing Strategies among Wedding Vendors: Evidence from West Jakarta

2025-08-22T02:20:23+00:00

This study aims to analyze creative and adaptive marketing strategies implemented by wedding vendors in West Jakarta in response to increasingly competitive market dynamics. Specifically, the research seeks to examine how marketing strategies can address business challenges, enhance competitiveness, and support long-term sustainability within the wedding service industry. Employing a qualitative research approach, this study investigates four wedding vendors—Awen Catering, Ohana Enterprise, Alfa Kreasi, and David Entertainment—as the main research objects. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observations, and documentation, and subsequently analyzed using SWOT analysis to identify internal strengths and weaknesses as well as external opportunities and threats. The findings reveal that creativity and innovation in service offerings, high service quality, professional work practices, flexibility in responding to client needs, and the ability to adapt to competitive pressures are key determinants of effective marketing strategies. Moreover, the vendors’ capacity to identify market opportunities and deliver positive customer experiences significantly enhances brand awareness, customer trust, and market reach. The SWOT-based analysis demonstrates that adaptive marketing strategies enable wedding vendors to mitigate risks, overcome operational challenges, and strengthen their competitive positioning. In conclusion, the study highlights that well-designed, creative, and adaptive marketing strategies are essential for improving sales performance, sustaining customer relationships, and ensuring the long-term viability of wedding vendors in West Jakarta.

An Analysis of the Impact of Natural Disasters on Tourism Policy-Making: A Case Study of Mount Merapi Nature Tourism in Sleman Regency

2025-07-15T04:23:50+00:00

This study aims to analyze how natural disasters, particularly the eruption of Mount Merapi, impact policy-making in the natural tourism sector of Sleman Regency. Using qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews, observation, documentation, and literature review. The results show that the impacts of the Merapi disaster, such as environmental damage, socio-economic changes, loss of life, and economic paralysis, lead to the development of disaster policies in the tourism sector. The policy-making process is carried out in stages, including problem identification, needs analysis, goal formulation, policy model selection, social indicator determination, and building public support. The resulting policies include the establishment of Disaster Resilient Villages/Urban Villages (Destana/Kaltana), the use of the SI PANDU MERAPI application, the installation of an Early Warning System (EWS), and the training of tourism volunteers. These policies have increased community preparedness, restored tourist confidence, and boosted post-eruption visits. However, some impacts, such as damage to vehicle engines due to volcanic ash, have not yet been addressed through specific government policies. This study concludes that risk-based and participatory mitigation policies can strengthen the resilience of the tourism sector. However, they need to be complemented by more comprehensive policies to address all disaster impacts.

The Urgency of Workplace Lactation Rooms and Childcare Facilities: A Public Policy Analysis of Indonesia’s 2024 Child Welfare Law

2025-08-22T06:35:30+00:00

This study analyzes how Indonesia’s 2024 Child Welfare Law frames state responsibility and employer obligations in addressing these needs through family-friendly workplace policies. Using a qualitative research design, the study applies a normative policy analysis supported by a comprehensive review of academic literature, policy documents, and relevant regulatory instruments related to child welfare, labor governance, and workplace standards. The findings indicate that the law positions lactation rooms and childcare facilities as essential policy instruments to ensure the fulfillment of children’s basic rights during early childhood while simultaneously promoting workforce productivity and parental work motivation. However, the analysis also reveals significant implementation gaps, particularly in small-scale enterprises and informal workplaces, where financial capacity, infrastructure limitations, and limited policy dissemination hinder compliance. These findings underscore that regulatory mandates alone are insufficient without complementary policy measures, including institutional coordination, technical guidance, and targeted support mechanisms. In conclusion, workplace lactation rooms and childcare facilities represent a critical component of inclusive labor and social policies aimed at strengthening human capital development. The study highlights the urgency of coordinated policy implementation and multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve equitable, standardized, and sustainable outcomes across regions

Implementation of Mitigation Overcoming Annual Flood Disasters in Demak Regency

2025-08-22T06:28:49+00:00

Most areas near the sea are highly vulnerable to flooding, both flash floods and flooding during heavy rains. When a natural disaster occurs, the most important thing to consider is disaster management and control. Post-flood disaster management is crucial to mitigate the impact and damage caused to victims, as well as the illnesses they suffer. Rapid preparation is crucial to reduce risk, damage, and impact. Government policy is a crucial component in assisting flood victims. A qualitative descriptive research approach was used in this study. To improve the accuracy of the research objectives and provide a clear picture of the phenomena or social realities studied, a qualitative descriptive study was chosen. A qualitative approach was used to collect descriptive data that can provide a detailed picture of disaster mitigation, such as prevention, mitigation, emergency response, and recovery. Direct interviews were used to obtain information related to disaster mitigation in overcoming the impact of flooding in Karanganyar Regency and Demak Regency with several informants, such as the Demak Regency Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD), the Karanganyar Regency Government, and the Village Government. Significant prevention through environmental and physical regulation and control. River normalization, such as river deepening and dredging, and river widening to restore strength. Meanwhile, work on the breached embankment is still incomplete. The Karanganyar Regency Government is working to prevent flooding by normalizing the river, such as deepening and dredging, and widening it to restore its strength.

Undocumented Children: KRI Tawau's Strategy in Facilitating Early Identity for Indonesian Migrant Workers' Children

2025-09-03T01:02:34+00:00

This study examines the strategies employed by the Consulate of the Republic of Indonesia (KRI) in Tawau to assist the children of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) in Sabah’s palm oil plantations in obtaining birth identity documents—a crucial requirement for citizenship status and access to basic social services. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, data were collected through a literature review and in-depth interviews with consular officers and PMI families. The findings show that KRI Tawau has established a vision, mission, and objectives consistent with its mandate to protect Indonesian citizens abroad, particularly in securing the identity rights of migrant children. The Consulate implements outreach strategies, including public awareness campaigns on the importance of the Surat Bukti Pencatatan Kelahiran (SBPK), mobile consular services, and community-based cooperation, to reach families in remote plantation areas. These efforts have improved public awareness and expanded service coverage, although challenges persist, especially the incomplete administrative documents often held by migrant workers. Despite these constraints, KRI Tawau’s strengthened consular functions play a vital role in enhancing children’s access to identity documentation and improving their opportunities to obtain education, which remain limited under Malaysia’s migration and education policies. The study highlights the need for innovative and sustained consular services to protect the rights of migrant children.

The Social Construction of Early Marriage in Tanjungpinang City: Intersections of State Law, Religious Norms, and Community Values

2025-05-26T13:36:29+00:00

This study aims to analyze the social construction of early marriage in Dompak Urban Village, Bukit Bestari Sub-District, Tanjungpinang City, by examining how community perceptions, norms, and interactions shape attitudes toward early marriage practices. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, the research collected data through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving community members, religious figures, and local stakeholders. Data were analyzed using the social construction theory to explore how shared meanings and collective agreements regarding early marriage are formed and maintained within the community. The findings reveal that early marriage in Dompak Village is socially constructed through continuous social interaction, where customary norms, religious interpretations of Islamic law, and collective values play a dominant role. The community perceives early marriage as a legitimate and even beneficial practice, often viewed as a destined match that serves both individual and collective interests. This social construction persists despite existing national marriage regulations that set minimum age requirements, indicating a tension between state law and local cultural-religious norms. The study concludes that early marriage in Dompak Village is sustained by a socially constructed reality rooted in shared beliefs and religious legitimacy rather than legal compliance. Therefore, stronger governmental engagement is required through consistent legal socialization, stricter regulation of marriage dispensations, and educational interventions emphasizing the importance of continued education and family well-being to prevent the normalization of early marriage practices.

Toward Smart Governance: A Bibliometric Analysis of Digital Transformation in Public Administration

2025-08-22T07:27:04+00:00

This study aims to explore the global research trends in digital transformation within the field of public administration through a bibliometric analysis. Utilizing Scopus-indexed literature, the study applies a systematic review of articles published in English and classified under the social sciences subject area. The data collection was conducted on July 2, 2024, at 14:25 WIB, using the keywords “digital transformation” and “public administration,” (TITLE -ABS-KEY ("digital transfomation") OR TITLE-ABS-KEY ("public administration")) AND (LIMIT-TO (SUBJAREA, "SOCI")) AND (LIMIT-TO (DOCTYPE, "ar" ) ) AND ( LIMIT-TO ( LANGUAGE , "English" ) ), resulting in 12,871 relevant documents. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive mapping of academic discourse, highlighting key themes, emerging topics, and leading contributors in the intersection of digital technology and public sector governance. The findings reveal an increasing scholarly focus on Society 5.0, smart governance, and digital innovation as tools to enhance bureaucratic efficiency and citizen engagement. Importantly, the study provides valuable insights for practitioners and policymakers, particularly in developing countries like Indonesia, by identifying best practices and strategic directions to support effective digital governance and public service reform.

Beyond Stability: Democratic Risks and Governance Challenges of Extending Village Head Tenure in Indonesia

2025-11-16T05:35:00+00:00

This study examines the democratic risks and governance challenges arising from the extension of village head tenure in Indonesia. While longer tenure is often justified as a means to ensure policy continuity and effective realization of development visions, excessive concentration of power may foster authoritarian tendencies and weaken democratic accountability at the village level. Using a qualitative library research approach, this study analyzes primary legal sources, particularly Law Number 3 of 2004 concerning amendments to Law Number 6 of 2014 on Villages, complemented by secondary sources such as books, academic journals, theses, and dissertations. Data were analyzed through descriptive qualitative methods to explore the implications of extended tenure on local governance. The findings indicate that extending the village head’s term presents complex consequences, including increased risks of corruption, imbalanced control over economic and political resources, and reduced leadership rotation. Moreover, prolonged tenure may hinder policy innovation and encourage the emergence of political dynasties or oligarchic structures, thereby threatening democratic principles of inclusivity, fairness, and representation. The study concludes that without strong safeguards, tenure extension may undermine participatory governance and sustainable village development. Therefore, the research recommends limiting maximum tenure duration, strengthening transparency and accountability mechanisms, and reinforcing legal frameworks to ensure that village governance remains democratic, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.

Redistricting and Electoral Integrity: Institutional Dynamics and Political Inequality in Banyuwangi

2025-11-16T05:32:46+00:00

This study aims to analyze the institutional design for delineating electoral districts (daerah pemilihan) in elections and its implications for achieving electoral integrity in Banyuwangi Regency. It focuses on examining the extent to which the principles of electoral districting and seat allocation are fulfilled during redistricting processes, and identifying the appropriate institutional framework to ensure fair and sustainable electoral arrangements. Employing a qualitative method with a field research approach, this study was conducted in Banyuwangi Regency, Indonesia. The findings reveal that the redistricting process, which resulted in the addition of new electoral districts, disproportionately benefits larger and institutionally entrenched political parties. These parties are more capable of adapting to changes in seat allocation and capitalizing on newly formed districts, leading to increased electoral advantages. Moreover, redistricting introduces uncertainties in vote distribution, influences candidate recruitment mechanisms, and impacts the consolidation of party systems. The study also found that the decision of the national electoral commission (KPU) to adopt the third districting proposal, despite public preference for the 2019 configuration, lacked transparency and reflected political lobbying. This undermines the principle of continuity in electoral design. Consequently, this research underscores the need for a reformed institutional structure that ensures participatory, consistent, and integrity-driven electoral districting processes.

Optimizing Civil Servants’ Performance Through Digital Governance: A Study on the APD Division of the PMD Office in Sekadau Regency

2025-11-16T05:12:22+00:00

This study examines how digital governance optimizes the performance of civil servants in the APD Division of the Community and Village Empowerment Office (PMD) in Sekadau Regency. The research aims to analyze civil servants’ performance in terms of productivity, effectiveness, efficiency, and service quality within the context of increasing digitalization in public administration. A descriptive qualitative approach was employed, with data collected through observations, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving officers and operational staff. The findings indicate that despite limited human resources—only five civil servants serving 95 villages—the APD Division demonstrates high productivity and strong teamwork, enabling programs and activities to be completed according to planned targets. Performance effectiveness is supported by regular capacity-building programs, adequate work facilities, clear operational guidelines, and the utilization of digital applications such as SISKEUDES and Village Information Systems, which enhance administrative speed and transparency. From an efficiency perspective, digital tools contribute to optimal use of human and financial resources by reducing operational costs without compromising service quality. Public satisfaction with village administrative services reaches approximately 80–85 percent, indicating a high level of service quality. However, challenges remain, including uneven digital infrastructure, limited access to information, and insufficient direct assistance in certain villages. The study concludes that digital governance plays a crucial role in improving civil servants’ performance, but its sustainability requires strengthening infrastructure, increasing personnel, and expanding continuous mentoring to ensure inclusive and effective public service delivery.

The Role of Village Government in the Management and Protection of Mangrove Ecosystems in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province : A Comparative Study in Rebo Village, Kota Kapur Village and Kotawaringin Village, Bangka Regency

2025-11-16T05:16:18+00:00

This study aims to analyze the role of village governments in the management and protection of mangrove ecosystems in Bangka Regency and to formulate a model for community-based sustainable governance based on blue economy principles. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach with a multiple-case design in three villages: Rebo Village, Kota Kapur Village, and Waringin Village, representing different stages of mangrove management. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation studies. Data analysis employed an interactive model encompassing data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results show that the role of village governments varies significantly and is influenced by institutional capacity and external support. Waringin Village is in the early stages, with conservation activities still dependent on external parties. Kota Kapur Village implements a participatory model through collaboration with community groups. Meanwhile, Rebo Village has reached the institutional stage with multi-actor partnership-based mangrove ecotourism management. Key success factors include adaptive local leadership, community participation, regulatory support, and cross-sector partnerships. This study concludes that the role of village government evolves through three stages: initiative, participatory, and institutional, with a balance of regulatory, facilitative, and collaborative functions as key. Integrating mangrove conservation with principles of the blue economy is a crucial strategy for sustainable coastal development.

Implementation of The Policy On Periodic Testing of Motor Vehicles (Kir Test) at The Technical Implementation Unit For Motor Vehicle Testing of The Sekadau District Transportation Service

2025-11-16T04:57:20+00:00

This research is entitled The Implementation of Regular Vehicle Inspection (RVI) at the Technical Implementation Unit for Motor Vehicle Inspection, Department of Transportation, Sekadau Regency. Regular Vehicle Inspection aims to check, examine, and inspect all vehicles that must undergo regular inspection. The inspection examines the functional parts of a vehicle within the component system and the technical dimensions of motor vehicles, both based on applicable regulations and objective technical requirements. This research is conducted to illustrate and analyze factors (communication, resources, disposition, and bureaucracy system) in implementing the RVI policy in the Technical Implementation Unit for Motor Vehicle Inspection, Department of Transportation, Sekadau Regency. The research was a descriptive-based design with a qualitative approach. The results indicate that the communication factor of the policy implementation has not run effectively. This was evident from the communication process or information transfer, which is still considered unclear. In the disposition (attitude) factor, the research revealed less maximal results. The same result was also delivered in the resource factors, which the personnel of the inspection is lacking. Additionally, the information availability and authority are not yet optimal. Based on these findings, communication should be undertaken effectively and efficiently. In addition, the disposition or attitude of the Technical Implementing Unit should be created (formed). Finally, competent human resources should be made available, for example, by supplying additional personnel, improving and maintaining inspection tools and supporting facilities, and sticking to the SOP in implementing the RVI policy.