MPR Deputy Chair Urges Collaboration to Ensure Equal Access to Reading Materials in Remote Areas
MPR Deputy Chair Lestari Moerdijat (Rerie) said active involvement from all stakeholders is required to ensure equitable access to reading materials in remote villages, aiming to boost national literacy.
“One of the main literacy challenges in Indonesia is not just low reading interest, but also the low availability and accessibility of quality reading materials,” she said in a written statement on Saturday, 30 May 2026.
The National Library of the Republic of Indonesia (Perpusnas) has expressed readiness to collaborate with the Ministry of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) to optimise digital literacy across the country.
Currently, the usage of iPusnas, a Perpusnas service, is high despite digital security challenges. Rerie stressed the urgent need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to enhance national literacy.
According to the People’s Literacy Development Index (IPLM) released by Perpusnas in March 2026, the national score of 40.6 falls in the low category.
Rerie described the figure as concerning, given that the target for Golden Indonesia 2045 requires significant improvements in service distribution, collections, library staff, and public engagement.
“Nations with low literacy will struggle to compete on the global stage,” she emphasised.
Data from World Population Review’s “Average Books Read Per Year by Country 2025” shows Indonesians read an average of 129 hours annually, far behind India (352 hours) and the United States (357 hours).
Ironically, despite internet penetration reaching 77-80%, the national digital literacy index remained stagnant at 44.53 in 2025, Rerie noted.
The NasDem Party’s senior member said this indicates technology access alone is insufficient without improving digital literacy skills.
Rerie stated literacy programmes must not operate in isolation. Synergy between central and local governments and literacy advocates must be strengthened through concrete actions.
“Now is the time to act. The nation needs intelligent, character-driven generations starting with literacy. There are no shortcuts—only sustained collaboration,” she concluded.