Digital transformation is one of the President’s directives for the acceleration of digital transformation so that there are changes in business processes in carrying out public service administration.
President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo stated that Social Assistance (Bansos) is needed by all during this pandemic. However, it is a concern whether the implementation of Bansos is being done per the vision of the programme.
Head of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), Hammam Riza, said Information and Communication Technology (ICT) plays a very important role in the information system for social assistance recipients. This is even more so if it is related in the context of receiving COVID-19 Social Assistance which is a real matter of urgency.
Organising Bansos involves cross-ministry functioning if it is to be done in accordance with the mission objectives of the initiative. Bansos recipients cover all people in Indonesia with funding sources coming from various budgets both at the central to district and city levels and other institutions. All of this has to be accompanied by monitoring, controlling and having to synergise the aid providers. Only then can there be clean and effective governance that is transparent and accountable.
According to Hammam, the pandemic momentum is an example of the realisation of electronic-based public services. When it comes to digitalisation, digital transformation will certainly affect the whole community. But for digitalisation to be proven useful, it needs to be supported by accurately with data, analytics and evidence – an accountablity process.
Apart from being mandated by the SISNAS Science and Technology Law, technology audits are critical for transparency and efficiency. In addition, Hammam said the SISNAS Science and Technology Law designates technology audits as an important role in ensuring public services, especially those based on electronics. In the context of social assistance, it includes the management of one accountable data.
Indonesia is currently on the move to One Data Indonesia movement and distribution efforts would be far better if implemented according to accurate need-mapping. The Indonesian One Data policy is designed to improve internal government data governance practices by providing a regulatory framework concerning organisational structure, including the roles, tasks, and responsibilities of each key stakeholder.
It also specifies mechanisms to ensure the preparation, collection, and/or processing of data that meets data standards, the application of metadata according to the standard format, and dissemination of data according to the principles of data interoperability.
Experts’ findings highlight the critical role of the local government leaders and data custodians, enforcement of data standards and policies and compliance with the successful implementation of the One Data policy in Indonesia.
Indonesia is banking heavily on IT-driven transformation to sustain and thrive in the post-COVID era as well as the rapidly evolving digitally-dependent global landscape. At the virtual interaction on digital transformation and human resources, Head of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT), Hammam Riza, noted that every organisation whether government, industry, companies, academics or communities increasingly rely on data and Information Communication Technology (ICT) to increase effectiveness and productivity.
Transformation processes and strategies using digital technology have the potential to drastically positively affect and improve processes, outcomes and services. Digital transformation is driven by leadership that is looking to change the paradigm of thinking. Digital transformation does not only depend on the right technology but also requires the support of the right culture, capable human resources and the right process.
Human resources and mindsets are the biggest challenges for the Indonesian government and businesses in the millennial era to be able to collaborate in facing digital transformation. He opined that a successful technology transformation is a nation- and company-wide journey that revolves around internal upskilling, adapting the best structure and work practices and creating a team that can maximise new technology.
The urgent need for digital empowerment is clear in the COIVD-19 assistance initiatives of the Indonesian government.
