On Indonesia's 81st Independence Day, Makassar City Government Launches 'Merdeka dalam Genggaman' Programme

The Makassar city government has launched the ‘Merdeka dalam Genggaman’ programme to coincide with the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia’s independence. The programme is a step by the Makassar city government to expand access to digital-based public services.

The launch was carried out by Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin together with Deputy Mayor Aliyah Mustika Ilham after the flag-raising ceremony for the Red and White at Karebosi Field, Makassar, on Monday (17/8).

The programme presents three integrated digital service features within the Lontara Plus application, the digital platform owned by the Makassar city government. The three are integrated civil registration services, online payment of Land and Building Tax (PBB), and Makassar Move.

Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin said the digital transformation being carried out by the Makassar city government is not merely about presenting new applications or features. According to him, the digitalisation of services is part of fulfilling the public’s right to obtain easier public services.

“This is not a gift, but this is a right owned by the citizens of Makassar City to obtain easier access on independence day,” said Munafri.

Through this integration, residents are expected to be able to access various services that previously required them to come directly to government offices.

One of these is population administration services. Residents will be able to access civil registration services through a digital system without always having to visit the office of the Population and Civil Registration Agency (Dukcapil).

“Later, there will be Dukcapil data for population processes that so far may have required coming to the civil registry office. There are those who do not have time for the process and so on,” he said.

Munafri said the integration of services is part of the Makassar city government’s efforts to make changes and improvements so that public services can reach more residents.

“So, this is what we are doing, various changes and improvements so that this feature can truly be of wider benefit,” he said.

In addition to population services, Lontara Plus is now equipped with an online PBB payment feature. This feature is expected to make it easier for residents to fulfil their tax obligations without having to go through conventional service mechanisms.

Meanwhile, the Makassar Move feature is designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle while opening up space for interaction between the public and the government.

Through this feature, residents can record their daily physical activities, from walking, jogging, running to cycling.

“Those who walk, those who jog, those who ride bicycles, those who run, please enter the Lontara application,” said Appi.

“Every week there will be attractive prizes drawn for us to get together,” continued Munafri.

According to Munafri, Makassar Move does not only function as a recorder of sports activities. Residents can also use the feature to report various conditions they encounter while being active on the road.

These reports can include conditions that require attention or improvement from the government.

“So, we are launching Makassar Move as an activity where the people of Makassar City who come to do healthy activities every day,” he explained.

“Whether they are walking, jogging, running, or cycling, they can report things they see on the streets for improvement measures to be taken,” added Appi.

Munafri assessed that this pattern can become a two-way communication space between the government and the public. Citizen involvement, he said, is important because not all problems on the ground can be directly monitored by the government.

“So, this is what is meant as a space for interaction, a space for communication between the government and the public to build a better togetherness.

“So that things that escape the government’s attention can be quickly accessed through the digital service features provided by the government,” he said.

Munafri emphasised that the launch of the three features also serves as a symbol of the spirit of independence in the digital era.

Independence, according to him, is not only interpreted as freedom from colonialism, but also as an effort to provide convenience and access to services for the public.

“We are launching this service as a commitment to building digitalisation in Makassar City. This is a manifestation of digital independence in the field of public services,” he stressed.

He hopes that the public will not only be users of services, but also participate in overseeing and guarding the development of Makassar City through the digital space that the government has provided.

“This is not a gift from the city government, but this is the right of the people of Makassar City as citizens who will continue to be given maximum service,” he said.

On the momentum of the 81st anniversary of Indonesia’s independence, Munafri also invited the public to utilise digital transformation as part of city development.

“Let us oversee and guard the development of this city together. One City, one Application, merdeka dalam Genggaman,” concluded Munafri.