The development of ICT infrastructure in Indonesia is not evenly distributed. Special allocation funds from the central government are needed to overcome this inequality.
Heaptalk, Jakarta — Digital transformation requires adequate digital infrastructure support that reaches all regions. Funding assistance from the central government is needed to encourage the development of digital infrastructure in the regions.
According to the Head of the East Kutai Communication and Informatics, Statistics and Encryption Department (Diskominfo Staper), Ery Mulyadi, many areas in East Kalimantan, particularly East Kutai, have inadequate digital infrastructure.
“Certainly, it is our joint responsibility for the government, mainly the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, to be able to help build infrastructure facilities, not solely those that are applications which do not require large financing. Those that need a large amount of funding should have support from the government,” said Ery after attending a visit to Jakarta Smart City at the DKI Jakarta City Hall Building (05/23).
The visit was part of a series of training and certification activities for the Government Chief Information Officer (GCIO) held by the East Kalimantan Communication and Informatics Department in Jakarta on May 23-25, 2023.
According to him, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics does not have a special allocation fund (DAK). Ery hopes that the ministry will allocate financial assistance such as a special allocation fund to help regions accelerate ICT infrastructure development.
Further, Ery voiced, “Thus far, ICT infrastructure development has only been carried out by Bakti which is currently experiencing problems.”
He suggested that the existing funds be handed over to the regions since the regions know their needs better and have the capacity to build them. Apart from that, the regions will certainly be responsible when problems arise during development.
“In the future, there should be real support from the government, especially to assist infrastructure development in the regions,” concluded Ery.
