Experts support plan for special ICT ministry<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Experts gave their support on Monday to a
\nproposal to establish a special ministry for information,
\ncommunications, and technology (ICT) in the new Cabinet of
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
ICT expert Roy Suryo said that such a separate ministry -- to
\nbe possibly called the ministry of telecommunications, media and
\ninformation -- could help accelerate the development of the
\ncountry's ICT sector.<\/p>\n
He said the government had so far treated the ICT sector as
\nsecondary to other sectors.<\/p>\n
\"For example the telecommunications sector is (currently) put
\nunder the Ministry of Communications which also oversees the
\ntransportation sector.<\/p>\n
\"And research and technology doesn't even have its own
\nministry, but is a state ministry,\" he said, adding that it was
\nno wonder the growth of ICT in the country was stagnating.<\/p>\n
A member of the Indonesian Internet Service Providers
\nAssociation (APJII), Heru Nugroho, said the establishment of a
\nseparate ministry for ICT would demonstrate to the world the
\nseriousness of the Indonesian government in developing ICT.<\/p>\n
\"That in turn would encourage foreign investors to put their
\nmoney in the Indonesian ICT sector,\" he said, explaining that
\ncurrently many foreign ICT investors were reluctant to enter
\nIndonesia because of the government's half-hearted attention to
\nthe sector.<\/p>\n
An example of the government's lack of commitment to the ICT
\nsector was the sluggish progress of the bill for Indonesia's
\ncyber law, Heru said.<\/p>\n
\"Until now, it (the cyber law) is still only in the draft
\nform. Why? Because the one in charge is only at the level of
\ndirector general and not a minister,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Former president B.J. Habibie put telecommunications under the
\nMinistry of Communications which also oversees public
\ntransportation. It was retained when Abdurrahman Wahid assumed
\npower in 1999.<\/p>\n
In the Ministry of Communications, ICT is placed under a
\ndirectorate general of posts and telecommunications, which also
\noversees the development of the Internet -- together with the
\nState Ministry for Research and Technology -- and the use of
\nradio frequencies.<\/p>\n
During the Soeharto era, the telecommunications sector was
\noverseen by the ministry of tourism, posts, and
\ntelecommunications, while the media was put under the ministry of
\ninformation.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Indonesian Internet Kiosks Association (Awari)
\nRudy Rusdiah said that the proposed ministry of
\ntelecommunications, media, and information was hoped to provide a
\ndefinite direction in the development of ICT.<\/p>\n
\"There should be a blueprint and specific milestones for ICT,
\nwhat we hope to achieve in five years, ten years, for example,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Roy said that the ministry should be led by someone
\nprofessional, who doesn't have a political background and who at
\nleast has had one year experience in handling ICT matters.<\/p>\n
Some names which had been tipped to lead the ministry include
\nMakarim Wibisono, J.B. Kristiadi and Dipo Alam, chairman of the
\nIndonesian Telecommunications Kiosks Association (APWI) Srijanto
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The plan to establish a separate ministry for ICT was
\ninitiated recently by the House of Representative's seven major
\nfactions for President Megawati Soekarnoputri's new Cabinet.<\/p>\n
The seven factions were Golkar, PDI Perjuangan, United
\nDevelopment faction (PP-F), the Crescent Star Party (PBB), the
\nReform faction, the United Ummat Sovereignty (PDU), and the
\nIndonesian Nationhood faction (KKI).<\/p>\n
Reports said the Cabinet is expected to have 36 ministers,
\nincluding some expected to head ministries that were dissolved by
\nformer president Abdurrahman Wahid, particularly the information
\nand social affairs ministries.<\/p>\n
Some analysts have raised concerns that the new ministry on
\ntelecommunications, media and information would only be another
\nname to replace the former functions of the previous ministry of
\ninformation.<\/p>\n
During the Soeharto era the ministry of information held a
\ntight reign on the development of the mass media in the country.
\nIt had the right to cancel the permit of any media that it
\nconsidered subversive.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman Wahid dissolved the ministry because it was
\nconsidered as countering freedom of speech. (tnt)<\/p>",
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