MPR Leadership: Multi-stakeholder Collaboration Key to Boosting Literacy

One of the main literacy challenges in Indonesia is not merely a lack of reading interest, but also low availability and accessibility of quality reading materials.

MPR Vice Chairman Lestari Moerdijat emphasised the need for active involvement of all stakeholders to ensure equitable distribution of reading materials to remote villages and boost national literacy.

“One of the main literacy challenges in Indonesia is not merely a lack of reading interest, but also low availability and accessibility of quality reading materials,” Lestari said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

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.

Lestari stated that multi-stakeholder collaboration to enhance national literacy is urgently needed.

According to the National Community Literacy Development Index (IPLM) released by Perpusnas in March 2026, the national score is only 40.6, classified as low.

Rerie, Lestari’s nickname, said the figure is concerning given the target for Golden Indonesia 2045 requires significant improvements in all measurement aspects, including service distribution, collections, library staff, and public engagement.

“A nation with low literacy will struggle to compete globally,” she said.

Ironically, despite internet penetration reaching 77-80%, the national digital literacy index score in 2025 remains stagnant at 44.53.

The member of the DPR’s Commission X said technology access alone is insufficient without improving digital literacy skills.

Rerie noted that literacy programmes cannot operate in isolation. Collaboration between central and local governments and literacy advocates must be strengthened through concrete actions.

“Now is the time to act. The nation needs a smart and character-driven generation, starting with literacy. There is no instant solution, only sustained collaboration,” she added.