Indonesia’s Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister, Abdullah Azwar Anas, engaged in significant dialogue with Australian Deputy Ambassador to Indonesia, Stephen Scott, on the digital revolution within the electronic-based government system (SPBE).
While both parties expressed satisfaction with the talks, the substance of their discourse raises questions. At face value, Anas praised the current digital transformation in Indonesia, asserting that it would “streamline various public services.” However, the absence of concrete details regarding how this transformation would occur casts doubts on the feasibility of such claims.
Australia’s MyGov portal is already a significant tool for Australians to access public services. Yet, Scott’s admission that the digital transformation was not a smooth process in his country, coupled with the revelation of “challenges, in the form of sectoral ego,” leaves one questioning if Indonesia is prepared to face similar obstacles.
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Anas emphasized his interest in learning from Australia’s practices, highlighting the collaboration with state-owned banknote printing firm Perum Peruri. Yet, can Indonesia genuinely replicate Australia’s successes, or are they merely borrowing an image of progress?
The meeting’s attendees, including Economic Governance officials Daniel Schuurman and Nindy Silvie, alongside Secretary of the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Rini Widyantini and Deputy for Institutions and Governance Nanik Murwati, were commendable. But, one must ask if these dialogues are anything more than diplomatic niceties.
Scott’s endorsement of Indonesia’s efforts is encouraging, but the practical application of these plans is yet to be seen. As the world watches, will these promises translate into action, or will they remain mere words on paper? Only time will reveal if Indonesia is on the right track, or if the roadmap is still being drawn.
Source: Antara News
