Regarding The Transition Of Analog TV To Digital TV, Nurul Arifin: Don't Let Ministry of Communication and Information of the Republic of Indonesia Do Business With People In The ASO Program

JAKARTA - The statement from the Director of Broadcasting, Directorate General of PPI, Ministry of Communication and Information, Geryantika Kurnia, in the socialization of digital TV is considered not to show a pro-people policy. Even impressed if the Ministry of Communication and Information of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenkominfo) do business with the people. Legislative member Nurul Arifin has spoken out loud about this.

Nurul Arifin, a member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) thinks that this is not in accordance with the initial agreement with the DPR. The reason is, the Ministry of Communication and Information itself promises to provide free STB to people in need, to switch from analog TV to Digital TV, starting this August.

“This Kominfo is weird. During the discussion of the Job Creation Bill, it was said that the set-top box would be provided free of charge. Now instead of being free, it seems that they are taking advantage of the provision of this set-top box”, said Nurul Arifin, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party.

Whereas the Government's decision to stop broadcasting analog TV to switch to digital TV broadcasting, ASO (Analog Switch Off), which started on August 17, in six Indonesian broadcast areas, was decided from the start not to burden the public.

Meanwhile, Geryantika Kurnia actually makes recommendations and even promotes people to buy Set-Top Boxes (STB) for certain products. For example, such as STB which has the words DVB-T2 with a sign or the words "Digital Ready".

Even the Ministry of Communication and Informatics clearly directs the public to buy certain STB brand products that are certified by the Ministry of Communication and Information. Such as Nexmedia (NA1300/DVB-T2 MPEG4 HD), Polytron (PDV 600T2), Ichiko (8000HD), Akari (ADS-2230, ADS-168 and ADS-210), Venus (Brio), Tanaka (T2), Matrix ( Apple), Evercoss (STB1).

In a pandemic situation where many people are experiencing economic difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is inappropriate for the Ministry of Communication and Information to take advantage of the people. On the other hand, Nurul asked them to show high empathy for the community.

“The Communication and Information Technology is completely insensitive to the condition of the people who are surviving this pandemic. Television is the only entertainment of the people. Currently, there are still many people who only have analog TVs", added Nurul.

The DPR member from the Golkar Party faction also warned that the Ministry of Communication and Information should not seize the people's happiness by simply turning off analog TV and forcing them to buy STB, instead of giving it away for free.

"Data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) shows that more than 7 million families have been affected by the pandemic. It is better if this program is postponed until the pandemic subsides. Or if you have to move at this time, the STB must be distributed free of charge”, said Nurul.

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics, which asks the public to buy certified STBs and view them on the SIRANI application (available on android and iOS), or at www.siarandigital.kominfo.go.id, shows their insincere intentions to the public.

"Don't take advantage in the midst of the difficulties that people are facing. There is still time until next year to realize the analog to the digital transition program. I ask that this matter be to our collective attention”, said Nurul Arifin, who really asked the Ministry of Communication and Information to seriously consider the proposal.