MUHAMMAD FAJAR SHIDIQ

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

I still remember a moment in my life when I saw an old lady with a help of wooden stick in her
right hand walked into my office. Then, she sat in waiting room, waiting for officers to help her.
That moment happened in 2012, and at that time, I was an officer in charge to give consultation
for stakeholders who need information related to import procedures. I was very amazed because
despite of her age I could see her motivation through her eyes for learning the procedures, even
though they are not easy to learn. I tried to give her my best explanation so she could understand
them well. She was very happy and she told me that, in the past, Indonesia customs agency was
a corrupt organization, but now everything is different as it is reformed into a better organization.
In addition she asked me to never stop learning and helping my organization to eradicate the
corruption and serve a better image of the institution. That moment always inspires me every
time I do my job.
I finished my high school from SMAN 70 Jakarta in 2004. Then, I continued my study in College
State of Accountancy (STAN), which is under the auspices of the Ministry of Finance of the
Republic of Indonesia. It was not easy to enter this college as I have to compete with more than
a hundred thousand candidates from every place in Indonesia. There are so many people want
to study in STAN because STAN provides full scholarship for its students. In STAN, I took Diploma
III Program with specialization in Customs and Excise. I graduated from this course in 2007 with
a good mark as I got 3.55 (out of 4.0) for my Grade Point Average (GPA) and became the best five
graduates.
Then, I was assigned in Directorate General of Customs and Excise by Ministry of Finance.
However, that only lasted for 3 months because STAN offered me a full scholarship to continue
my study directly to bachelors degree at Diploma IV Accounting Program. I took the offer to
study there and then graduated in 2010 with GPA 3.37 from this program.
After I graduated from Diploma IV, I was stationed as a staff in Customs and Excise Education and
Training Center for 8 months from July 2010 until March 2011 right after graduated from Diploma
IV. Then, I was moved to Directorate of Customs Technique up until now. In this directorate, I
work as a staff in Sub Directorate of Import and responsible for processing priority lane
facilitation proposals from importers and maintaining priority lane importers data. I do data
verification and coordinate with other units in Directorate General of Customs and Excise to make
sure that the importers who propose priority lane facilitation have a good track record based on
customs database. Now, my duty is dealing with other institutions to process the implementation
of import prohibition and restriction regulation in Indonesia as one of customs main mission is
protecting community. Also, I am preparing regulation drafts related to import procedures. For
instance, this year I drafted a regulation regarding import procedure for postal items.
 MUHAMMAD FAJAR SHIDIQ

In the beginning of 2014, I got an opportunity from the World Bank and Ministry of Finance to
pursue my masters degree through Scholarship Program for Strengthening the Reforming
Institution. I see this as a big opportunity to learn more and upgrade my competencies with
knowledge and practical skills needed to be a future leader, particularly for Directorate General
of Customs and Excise. I hope that I can realize those goals by applying for the Master of Public
Policy and Management at the University of Melbourne, as this course offers the modules which
best meet my needs.
I am interested in the Master of Public Policy and Management as it would allow me to study
professional knowledge and skills in public policy and management discipline. This course will
give me opportunity to develop advanced management skills which suited to public organization.
After completing the program, I have the opportunity to be involved more in policy making, bring
about better policy, and share the knowledge to my organization whereas it still in an ongoing
process of reformation. I realize that I could continue my study and be in my current job because
of peoples contribution through their taxes. Therefore, I always think that I have an obligation
to give back to my community. For instance, I always try to give an excellent service to the
stakeholder and maintain my best performance when I am working.
All things considered, I strongly believe that my determination to earn better understanding, my
present position in the organization, and my academic background will be beneficial for my
graduate study. Attending Public Policy and Management at the University of Melbourne would
give me the opportunity to receive high-level education under the guidance of leading and
excellent professors. I hope that the knowledge and expertise that I would earn from the courses
can help realize my dream to support reformation program in my country.

Respectfully Submitted,

Muhammad Fajar Shidiq