President Prabowo Calls for Accelerating Government Digitalization to Deliver Faster, Better Public Services

President Prabowo Subianto underscored that accelerating government digitalization is a strategic step toward delivering public services that are more effective, efficient, and accessible. The President made the remarks during a briefing at a Plenary Cabinet Meeting held at the State Palace in Jakarta on Monday (07/20).

“Government digitalization is absolutely essential. We cannot continue to have dozens of applications that do not communicate with one another. We cannot keep asking people to input the same data over and over again. And we cannot afford to let people spend money simply to prove that they are poor,” the President said.

The Head of State explained that the government’s ongoing digital transformation has already begun to generate tangible benefits for the public, particularly in the distribution of social assistance. According to a report by the National Economic Council, the digitalization of social assistance programs has been implemented in 43 regencies and municipalities across 26 provinces, with approximately one million families registered so far out of the target of 12.5 million.

“Previously, a family could spend around Rp150,000 just to process various documents and apply for assistance. Now the entire process can be completed free of charge. That is a direct benefit of digitalization. But, of course, we must go even further,” he continued.

President Prabowo emphasized that the success of digitalization must be accompanied by the integration of government databases to ensure that public services are delivered more accurately and effectively. The integration will encompass data related to social welfare, population, education, healthcare, employment, housing, and social assistance beneficiaries, while continuing to prioritize data security and protection.

“We must not allow those who are well-off to receive assistance simply because the data have not been updated. Nor should poor families be denied assistance simply because they do not know the right officials or are unfamiliar with bureaucratic procedures,” the President stressed.

The Head of State expressed confidence that an accurate and integrated data system would strengthen the effectiveness of various government programs, including efforts to reduce extreme poverty. He also noted that the government continues to expand access to public services through the establishment of Public Service Malls in regions across the country.

“We have also established Public Service Malls in 313 regencies and municipalities. In a single location, people can access up to 150 different public services. This is significant progress,” he remarked.

Furthermore, President Prabowo stressed that the government’s digital transformation must continue to expand so that more public services can be accessed online. This, he said, will spare citizens from cumbersome bureaucratic procedures while enabling the government to provide services that are faster, more convenient, and more inclusive.

“Every service that can be delivered digitally must be made available online. People should not have to wait in line for hours. They should not have to travel from one government office to another. The government must reach the people through technology. I want Indonesia to have a world-class digital government,” the President said. (BPMI of the Presidential Secretariat) (AY/TM)