Administrative reform is a political, not managerial, issue. This study argues that
administrative reform is highly influenced by realities of bureaucratic politics. Reforms
usually mean the struggle over power between involved actors. There are evidences of
patterns of power struggle among and between politicians and bureaucrats. Including
contestation among bureaucrats that are responsible for public management reform. These
power struggles and contestations explain the decision-making processes for designing and
implementing administrative reform policies and shifts of power relations. This article
proposes a new framework to advance the concept of bureaucratic politics, with reference to
administrative reform policy. It highlights the missing link between public policy and public
management reform literature by revisiting the power of politicians and bureaucrats in
making reform policies.