Home Affairs Minister Supports Expansion of Digital Social Assistance as Foundation for GovTech
The Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, supports the acceleration of government digital transformation, or Government Technology (GovTech), as an effort to realise more modern governance through digital-based public services. One of the steps currently being taken by the government is the implementation of a pilot programme for the digitalisation of social assistance (bansos).
This was stated by the Minister of Home Affairs while leading the Coordination and Monitoring Meeting for the Expansion of the Social Assistance Digitalisation Pilot, held via a hybrid format at the Sasana Bhakti Praja Building, Ministry of Home Affairs Headquarters, Jakarta, on Tuesday (30/06).
“This meeting is in the context of expanding the social assistance digitalisation pilot to 43 regencies and cities, which serves as the precursor and roadmap towards GovTech, government technology, and e-government,” Tito said in his statement.
Tito explained that the social assistance digitalisation pilot programme had previously been implemented in Banyuwangi Regency and showed positive results. Following this success, the programme is now being expanded to 43 regencies/cities as part of a national implementation. As Minister of Home Affairs, Tito emphasised his commitment to coordinating local governments with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure the programme runs optimally.
“Some time ago, it was tested in Banyuwangi. Many thanks to Mrs Ipuk [Regent of Banyuwangi], and I believe it was quite successful. This success in Banyuwangi is now being replicated in other regions. The target is larger, covering 43 areas, and we hope that in the future, it will encompass all of Indonesia,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), who also serves as the Chairman of the Committee for the Acceleration of Government Digital Transformation (KPTDP), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, stated that GovTech will drive more efficient and transparent governance. According to him, this coordination meeting is part of the effort to oversee the transformation of the social protection system to ensure it is more targeted through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based digital technology.
He explained that for the first time, the selection process for social assistance recipients is being conducted with greater transparency and accountability through cross-sector data exchange. The system is also designed to be user-friendly for the public, allowing them to apply for social assistance independently or through agents without being burdened by lengthy processes or complex documentation requirements.
“I believe in our resilience; this programme brings real benefits to the recipient community, so let us monitor it together. To the Minister of Home Affairs, General Tito, I thank you from the bottom of my heart because now, with data from seven ministries/agencies integrated, the AI process is underway. We will monitor and supervise this closely,” he concluded.