New Public Governance-Based Public Services: A Study of Drinking Water Regional Company Governance in Indonesia

Abstract

Drinking water services are a form of basic public services that are directly related to the community's right to a healthy and decent life. In Indonesia, the implementation of drinking water services is mostly carried out by Regional Drinking Water Companies (PDAM) or Regionally Owned Enterprises which have a dual function, namely carrying out public service obligations while maintaining business sustainability. This condition poses a governance dilemma, especially when PDAM must balance social aspects, tariff affordability, operational efficiency, financial sustainability, and demands to improve service quality. This article aims to analyze PDAM governance in Indonesia through the perspective of New Public Governance. This study uses a qualitative approach with literature review and document analysis methods. The results of the study show that PDAM governance is not enough to be analyzed through a bureaucratic or managerial approach alone, but needs to be seen as a collaborative process involving local governments, PDAM management, the community, the private sector, regulators, and other stakeholders. The New Public Governance approach emphasizes the importance of institutional networking, multi-stakeholder collaboration, trust, community participation, transparency, and public value creation. Thus, strengthening PDAM governance based on New Public Governance can be an alternative to improve the quality of drinking water services that are more inclusive, accountable, fair, and sustainable.