We can digitalize this country to eradicate corruption
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Digitalization, which is currently developing at a rapid pace in Indonesia, is expected to eliminate corruption and promote efficiency in various fields, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated.

"We can digitalize this country to eradicate corruption. It will be more efficient with better tax revenue. It will also encourage our young generation to become more creative," Pandjaitan noted at the FGD on Submarine Cable Investment in Indonesia followed virtually in Jakarta, Wednesday.

The minister remarked that one of the drivers behind digital economic growth in Indonesia is the submarine cable project. Underwater cables are akin to a toll road for the internet to communicate and carry digital data, with fast transmission speeds.

So far, Indonesia has four submarine cable projects in the Indonesian waters: the Echo Project in collaboration with Meta, Google, and XL Axiata; Bifrost project in collaboration with Meta, Keppel Midgard, and Telin; Apricot project in collaboration with Meta, Keppel Midgard, and NTT; and the Sun Cable Project, with a total investment of Rp36.6 trillion, the minister stated.

The Indonesian Research Affiliated Institute (LAPI) of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) stated that the implementation of 5G networks, through the preparation of submarine cable infrastructure in Indonesia, has the potential to increase GDP cumulatively up to 9.5 percent, or Rp2.874 trillion, during the 2021-2030 period.

On the same occasion, General Chairperson of the All-Indonesian Sea Cable Communication System Association (Askalsi) Ahmad Ludfy explained that the Sea Cable Communication System (SKKL) has a crucial role to play in supporting digitalization.

If lined up, SKKL in the world spans 1.2 million km in length and connects 99 percent of the data traffic.

"About 40-60 percent of the international traffic, apart from satellite traffic, is passed through SKKL. Hence, this SKKL project is very strategic," Ludfy remarked.

He noted that the submarine cable infrastructure in Indonesia was still dominated by foreigners, both in terms of cables, ships, technology, and the security system.

Hence, he encourages synergy from all related parties to secure Indonesia's submarine cables. This is also in line with the Ministry of Communication and Informatics' program to encourage digital literacy.

"The target is to achieve state sovereignty. We also hope that the security of submarine cables can succeed the government's program at all levels," Ludfy remarked.

Ludfy believes the SKKL industry will continue to grow along with the need for the internet. He believes that the optical fiber is more optimal for data transmission in the digital era as compared to satellite technology.

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Translator: Ade Irma J, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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