Kemkomdigi temporarily postpones IGRS implementation until evaluation is complete
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi) is temporarily postponing the implementation of the age-based video game classification system, the Indonesia Game Rating System (IGRS), until the investigation and evaluation process is complete.
“While awaiting the completion of all investigation and evaluation processes, we have decided to temporarily suspend the entire IGRS rating process. I emphasise once again that this postponement is only temporary,” said Director of Digital Ecosystem Development at Kemkomdigi, Sonny Hendra Sudaryana, in Jakarta on Friday.
The evaluation is being conducted to ensure that IGRS can be implemented effectively and trusted by both the public and industry players.
Sonny explained that after errors in the IGRS rating display on the Steam distribution platform drew public attention, Kemkomdigi formed a special team to investigate the issue.
The investigation team is examining all aspects of IGRS implementation, from the system and processes to its governance.
The Ministry is also gathering public aspirations regarding the implementation of the game classification system.
“During this process, we have received a lot of input from friends in associations and the gaming industry. We started last week on 8 April, and as this morning, we discuss and identify these matters every day,” said Sonny.
“So there are three teams operating internally and externally. We will routinely update the results and progress. Even though we meet with stakeholders every day and every week, we will update regularly,” he added.
He also stated that Kemkomdigi will not block or restrict access to unrated games circulating in Indonesia during the IGRS implementation postponement.
“They can still be played,” he said.
Sonny noted that the government cannot abruptly close access to games. Game access blocking must be carried out through mechanisms in accordance with applicable regulations.
“It should be noted that no games are being blocked; there have been none from the start, because the blocking mechanism is different,” he said.