"Digital transformation is not only the responsibility of the central government. Regional heads must ensure that digitization provides real benefits to the people," she said during the regional head retreat at the Military Academy (Akmil) in Magelang, Central Java, on Tuesday.
Digital transformation is not about choice, but a requirement. President Prabowo has emphasized the importance of electronic-based public services.
This means regional leaders need to lead change, rather than just waiting for instructions from the central government, she said.
She reminded that without strong coordination at the central and regional levels, digitization steps will encounter a host of challenges, especially in frontier, underdeveloped, and outermost (3T) regions.
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Therefore, Minister Hafid encouraged regional heads to share their challenges and also provide inputs to help create more relevant policies.
She said that digital transformation is a pathway to national sovereignty and supports the average annual economic growth target of 8 percent.
"We must not only be consumers of technology but should take charge of creating and controlling our own digital ecosystem," she added.
To make sure that digital transformation does not just end up as a slogan, she urged regional heads to familiarize themselves with regulations that serve as the foundation of national digitization.
"Without understanding about those regulations, it will be challenging for regions to develop proper digital policies. We must not allow regional heads to fall behind in technology or lag in digital regulations," she added.
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Translator: Maria, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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