In the ten years of President Joko Widodo's administration, the Ministry of Communications and Informatics (MCI) has taken the lead in accelerating the digitalization process across the country. The development of digital infrastructure and the increase in internet penetration have become top priorities to achieve the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, a dream for a more advanced, connected, and highly competitive Indonesia in the digital era. However, despite these achievements, there are still many challenges to overcome before we can fully achieve this vision.

According to the President Director of the MCI's Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI), Fadhilah Mathar, the main challenges in Indonesia's digitalization include uneven infrastructure and the urgent need for digital talent. "Indonesia needs around 9 million additional digital talents to meet the needs of industry and government," said Fadhilah in a dialog titled 'Guarding 10 Years of Infrastructure Development.'

The MCI, under the direction of the Jokowi administration, has adopted three main strategies in accelerating digitalization in Indonesia. First, it focuses on infrastructure development and connectivity, including cyber quality and security. Second, increase the availability of digital talent to address the growing needs. Third, improving digital media governance and regulation to match international standards and market needs.

Bridging Connectivity in Remote Areas

One of the main pillars of the MCI's digitalization strategy is equitable infrastructure development, especially in remote and outermost areas. The MCI is committed to ensure the access to internet and digital infrastructure is available in all corners of the country, not just in major cities.

During Jokowi's administration, telecommunications infrastructure development has accelerated significantly, especially in underdeveloped areas. In 2015, 122 districts fell into the underdeveloped category. However, in the second term of Jokowi's administration, that number was reduced to 62 districts, most of which were the result of the increasing penetration of digital infrastructure.

Internet penetration in Indonesia has also increased significantly. In 2015, only around 34.9 percent of the population had access to the internet, however, this figure soared to 79.50 percent by 2024, covering around 221 million Indonesians. This marks a remarkable achievement in the expansion of internet access across the country, especially in remote areas that were previously isolated from modern communication networks.

The development of digital infrastructure not only focuses on improving internet access for the people, but also provides a huge boost to the business sector. Business digitalization is seen as key in improving operational efficiency, accelerating innovation, and strengthening the competitiveness of companies. With the adoption of digital technology, companies can optimize business processes, accelerate services to customers, and be more adaptive to increasingly dynamic market changes.

Fadhilah Mathar emphasized that the MCI plays a vital role in encouraging technology adoption in the business sector through various initiatives and support programs. One concrete example is the improvement of internet access and digital technology among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which play an important role in driving local and national economic growth. With the adoption of digital technology, SMEs are able to reach a wider market, both domestically and globally, and strengthen their contribution to national GDP.

Empowering Public Services with Technology

Digitization also plays an important role in improving the quality of public services, not only in the business sector. The MCI is currently taking the lead in developing the Electronic-Based Government System (SPBE) and Satu Data Indonesia (SDI), two important systems designed to ensure government decision-making is based on valid and accurate data. With this system, the policies implemented are expected to be more targeted and effective in responding to the needs of the community.

Government digitization also aims to improve the speed and quality of public services. The slow and complicated administrative processes are expected to be cut through digital technology, so that the public can receive faster, more transparent, and efficient services.

Apart from infrastructure, another major challenge faced in the acceleration of digitalization in Indonesia lies in the need for adequate digital talent. According to Fadhilah Mathar, Indonesia needs an additional 9 million digital talents to face the rapidly growing needs of the digital economy. To address this challenge, the MCI is working closely with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology as well as universities and educational institutions across the country.

One of the key initiatives in digital talent development is the Digital Talent Scholarship Program, which aims to train young Indonesians to gain the skills needed in the digital era. The program provides training in information and communication technology (ICT) for students and university students, with the hope that they can become the backbone of the future digital ecosystem development.

Through this kind of programs, the MCI hopes that they can bridge the digital skills gap in Indonesia and accelerate an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.

Building a Safe and Regulated Ecosystem

One of the most important aspects that should not be overlooked in digital transformation is strong governance and regulation. Fadhilah Mathar notes that Indonesia's media regulation rate stands at over 12 percent, much higher than the Asia Pacific average of 8.7 percent. This strict regulation is intended to ensure that the digital and media infrastructure developed in Indonesia complies with cybersecurity standards and can be accessed by the entire community without risk of disruption.

However, on the other hand, stricter regulation also poses its own challenges, especially in maintaining the balance between cybersecurity and freedom to innovate. The MCI strives to create regulations that support a safe and efficient digital ecosystem, while keeping an open mind to fast-growing technological innovations.

Building a Connected and Competitive Indonesia in the Digital Era

After a decade of accelerated digitalization, the main challenge ahead is to ensure the sustainability of the digital infrastructure development that has been started. Fadhilah Mathar emphasized that the efforts that have been made over the past 10 years must be continued, so that the benefits of digital infrastructure development are not only temporary, but also sustainable in the long term.

"We have guarded the 10 years of infrastructure development and will continue to carry out these good deeds in the next government," said Fadhilah. The incoming government must continue this commitment so that the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, with equitable digital infrastructure and competent talents, can be achieved.

Over the last ten years, the acceleration of digitalization in Indonesia under President Joko Widodo's administration has brought a lot of progress, both in digital infrastructure and talent development. However, major challenges still lie ahead, especially in providing equal access and preparing future generations to compete in the digital economy.

With the right strategy and strong commitment, Indonesia has a great opportunity to become a digitally connected and highly competitive nation in the global market. The Golden Indonesia 2045 vision is not impossible to achieve, but a goal that can be achieved through collaboration between the government, private sector, and the wider community in building an inclusive, safe, and sustainable digital ecosystem.

Translator: Aisah Amanda