Government Strengthens ICT Expenditure Controls to Ensure Budget Efficiency

Jakarta — The government is strengthening governance of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) expenditure to ensure that budgets allocated for digital purposes deliver positive impacts on public services efficiently.

Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid explained that all spending on applications and digital infrastructure by ministries and agencies must now undergo a recommendation and clearance mechanism to align with the national architecture of the Electronic Government System (SPBE).

“Preventing activity duplication and optimising state budget allocation, including cost efficiency, are core priorities of the President,” Meutya Hafid stated on Friday.

Beyond tightening ICT spending controls, the ministry has also highlighted the persistent problem of numerous government-developed applications that remain disconnected from one another, creating budgetary waste.

To prevent similar issues in future, the ministry has developed the Government Service Connection System (SPLP) as the backbone of a public service ecosystem, enabling all applications to become integrated. Through this system, data exchange will no longer occur on an ad hoc basis but through controlled, traceable, and auditable mechanisms to maintain data integrity.

To ensure all systems function properly and prevent ongoing waste, the government has also mandated rigorous technology audit processes.

The minister hopes these governance measures will transform siloed working practices into a cohesive and efficient whole-of-government approach, requiring coordination, willingness, transparency, and active collaboration from all ministries, agencies, and local governments.