BackNew Zealand’s Chief Ombudsman and the Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia signed the bilateral arrangement in Jakarta on Monday, 24 February 2025.
The Ombudsman Cooperation and Support Arrangement was signed by Peter Boshier and his Indonesian counterpart Chairman Mokhammad Najih at a ceremony in Indonesia.
Mr Boshier says the role of an Ombudsman is to protect people against the violation of their rights, the abuse of power, unfair decisions and maladministration.
“Ombudsmen are the watchdogs of democracy and this arrangement symbolises our joint commitment to fairness for all. It also strengthens our bond and the decades-long friendship between our two countries,” Mr Boshier says.
Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia Chairman Mokhammad Najih says: "Today, we are not just signing an agreement, we are embarking on a journey. A journey towards greater accountability, improved public services, and a stronger commitment to serving the needs of our citizens."
“We are eager to learn from the experience of the New Zealand Ombudsman, and we are confident that this partnership will be mutually beneficial. Together, we can achieve more than we could alone,” Mr Najih says.
A joint technical working group will be set up to create an action plan for sharing knowledge and expertise and working together on areas of mutual interest. The group will explore training and coaching opportunities, knowledge and information sharing, and cultural activities.
“In making this commitment to the bilateral arrangement we are both doing our part to strengthen the reputation of Ombudsmen around the world, improve international best practice and build local capabilities,” said Mr Boshier, who is also second International Vice President of the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI).
“Working closely together can only enhance the cultural understanding between our two nations and help us support people from each other’s countries should they ever need our services.”
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Source: The Office of the National Ombudsman of New Zealand
