The Illusion of Inclusion in Indonesia’s Digital Agenda

Indonesia has been enthusiastically championing its digital transformation agenda. The government envisions a “going digital” nation, supported by various innovations and systems introduced to the public. The promise is clear: to simplify and accelerate administrative processes.

But before we celebrate, it is worth asking: are we confident that this transformation will truly deliver on its promise? And more importantly, will it reach and serve all Indonesians, across every layer of society?

A Personal Experience: When Technology Misses the Mark

This question reminds me of a personal experience while applying for a police clearance letter. A new digital system had been introduced; registration was now done online through an app, replacing the previously required stacks of paper forms.

For me, this was a welcome improvement. The process was indeed faster. Yet something important seemed to have been overlooked: the app had not been fully introduced to the wider public.

While waiting in line, I noticed a middle-aged woman carrying a folder of documents she had carefully prepared. At the counter, the officer informed her that registration could now only be done via the app. She was shocked—she had never heard of it and had not even installed the application. To make matters more difficult, there were few staff available to help her. Instead, she had to ask other applicants for guidance.

That moment made me reflect: how confident is Indonesia, really, in building a digital transformation that includes everyone?

The Narrative of Inclusion

Indonesia has outlined its Digital Vision 2045 (VID 2045), part of the broader "Indonesia Emas 2045" (Golden Indonesia 2045) agenda. It aims to create an inclusive, collaborative digital ecosystem built on innovation—under the slogan: “The More Digital, The More Advanced.”

The vision is ambitious and inspiring. But to make it a reality, three pillars—government, economy, and society—must be addressed equally. Transformation cannot be reduced to simply rolling out new systems. It must be supported by thoughtful planning, adequate resources, and alignment with the realities of people’s daily lives. Otherwise, the narrative of “improving welfare through digital technology” risks falling short of its potential.

The Reality on the Ground: An Illusion of Inclusion

Despite significant progress, the numbers reveal ongoing gaps. As of 2021, over 100 million Indonesians—around 41.7% of the population—were still not using digital tools (Datanesia). Mobile phone ownership is more evenly spread than internet access, highlighting the digital divide.

According to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), by 2020, more than half of the country’s villages (58.3%) still lacked telecommunication towers or base transceiver stations (BTS). Data from APJII (2022) shows that while 77% of Indonesians have internet access, there are stark regional disparities: urban areas enjoy broader access, while rural areas—especially in Eastern Indonesia—remain underserved. In Papua, only 26% of residents are online.

The 2023 Indonesia Digital Society Index (IMDI) further illustrates the gaps. Infrastructure (score: 27.09) and digital skills (score: 56.59) are improving, but empowerment (score: 26.19) and employment (score: 32.14) lag behind. This reflects low digital adoption in rural communities, caused by limited internet access, weak digital literacy, and a lack of programs that integrate technology into economic activities.

Why Do These Gaps Persist?

One challenge lies in how government digital platforms are developed. Too often, applications are designed and launched without sufficient user research or human-centered design. The emphasis is often on accelerating administrative processes rather than ensuring systems fit the needs and realities of end users.

This eagerness to launch can sometimes result in difficulties: unstable systems, servers that struggle with high demand, or apps that are not always user-friendly. Instead of accelerating administration, these issues can unintentionally create new bottlenecks. When combined with limited social impact evaluations and less-than-optimal budget allocations, the vision of digital inclusion requires renewed focus to stay on track.

Rethinking the Agenda: Towards Genuine Digital Inclusion

To move forward, Indonesia’s digital transformation must be redefined with people at its center. Key steps include:

• Redefining digital inclusion beyond internet access: Inclusion must also consider literacy, affordability, and the capacity of people to meaningfully use technology.

• Human-centered public services: Systems should be designed with, not just for, citizens—particularly the most vulnerable.

• Participatory evaluation: Continuous feedback and engagement with marginalized communities must guide the development of digital platforms.

Conclusion

The illusion of inclusion can be more dangerous than outright exclusion, as it creates a false sense of progress while millions remain left behind. In Indonesia’s pursuit of digital transformation, this risk is particularly urgent: believing that access is universal may blind us to the deep divides that persist across regions, classes, and communities.

To ensure that technology serves as a true equalizer rather than a new barrier, the nation’s digital agenda must be grounded in social justice—echoing the spirit of Pancasila’s Fifth Principle: “Social justice for all Indonesian people.”