"We really have to have this digital Indonesia road map. The strategy, direction, targets must be detailed, must be tactical, and must be detailed. We can no longer make something that is fanciful but can't be implemented," he said.
He delivered the remarks while speaking to the participants of the 24th Short Education Program (PPSA) and the 65th alumni of the 2023 Regular Education Program Class (PPRA) of the National Resilience Institute at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Widodo said that Indonesia's digital road map will cover free internet connectivity for the entire archipelago and include aspects related to digital infrastructure, digital government, digital economy, and digital society.
Each digital sector must grow and have targets, he stressed. Therefore, there needs to be detailed direction and strategy in Indonesia's digital road map.
Giving an example, he said that several years ago, the Indonesian government planned to build base transceiver stations (BTS) throughout the country, including the frontier areas. However, obstacles were faced in the BTS development process.
"There is problem with the BTS. This means that this has been pushed back again, although I am sure it can be resolved eventually," he added.
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As previously known, the construction of the towers that transmit telecommunications signals was hampered following allegations of former minister of communication and information, Johnny G. Plate, being involved in corruption in the procurement of 4G BTS, which was investigated by the Attorney General's Office.
President Widodo emphasized that each party should always focus on solutions if they encounter problems in development, including the development of digital infrastructure.
Currently, he said, digitalization is in the spotlight in various parts of the world.
"At the G20 in India yesterday, there were six big countries, I don't need to mention them, talking and worrying. It seemed like I read the concerns about AI (artificial intelligence), and they admitted that they were late in preparing the regulations," he added.
Widodo also talked about the importance of the leaders who will be elected in the next three elections, namely in 2024, 2029, and 2034. This is because their leadership will determine whether the Indonesian nation will succeed in becoming developed or not.
"Because we have a demographic bonus and that is what I said earlier. Because now we know everything is digital, everything is online," he said.
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Translator: Indra Arief Pribadi/Rangga Pandu Asmara Jingga, Ci
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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