Digitalisation of government is not just about adding apps, says deputy minister

Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria has emphasised that the success of digital transformation in government is not measured by the number of new applications, but by the ability to deliver fast and efficient public services to the community. He stated that digitalisation must become an instrument for solving public problems, rather than merely an administrative matter. “Digitalisation does not only mean creating applications to help us administratively, but also concerns our mindset in problem-solving, in delivering solutions and providing the best service to the public,” Nezar said whilst opening the 2026 Digital Leadership Academy training programme on Tuesday. With increasingly sophisticated technology, public servants in government bodies must not only understand technology but also be able to utilise it to deliver more optimal and targeted solutions for public services. The deputy minister stated that technology must be involved as part of facilitating decision-making and problem-resolution processes to improve the quality of public services. In order for Indonesia to create public servants with a similar mindset, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has therefore introduced a digital leadership training programme entitled the Digital Leadership Academy. The programme, which targets government leaders at both central and regional levels, is expected to produce competent digital leaders. Furthermore, these government leaders are also trained in strategic competencies in the fields of digital transformation, cybersecurity, data governance, artificial intelligence, and the integration of government services. Deputy Minister Nezar stressed that the success of digital transformation is ultimately determined not by the sophistication of the technology owned, but by the ability of leaders to utilise digital technology to bring about real change in this digital era. He expressed hope that participants of the Digital Leadership Academy would become agents of change within their respective institutions and deliver public services that are faster, more efficient, transparent, and increasingly responsive to the needs of the community.