Pandemic Makes Dependence On Technology, DPR Member: The Work Of 'Kominfo' Must Be Appreciated

Illustration. (Photo: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia has been going on for a year. In that period, everyone was forced to limit their activities, so that the use of technology became a mainstay.

A member of the DPR from Commission I, Ahmad Rizki, said that this pandemic situation should be appreciated. Adaptation and making friends with technology are the keys to understanding this rare situation.

"In the past, maybe information technology was only an addition to socializing with the community or in general in the business world and so on, but nowadays the dependence is getting bigger, from school matters, education affairs are now all carried out remotely", said Ahmad Rizki in an online discussion, Tuesday 2 March.

Technology also plays an important role in the sustainability of MSMEs, where these businesses are increasingly prevalent during the pandemic amidst limited people doing activities.

"Small and medium enterprises such as home businesses must also be supported to survive, must be able to adapt to current conditions, take advantage of information technology and perhaps new creations that do eventually emerge because of the situation that forces us to find a way out together", he explained.

He also appreciated the role of the government, especially the Ministry of Communication and Information (Kominfo), which has been extraordinary in guarding this pandemic situation. Internet connection is an important aspect in supporting technology-based activities during pandemics.

"It is worth appreciating the performance of the Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Agency or BAKTI Kominfo in all regions of Indonesia which can 'distribute' the internet to all corners of the country", he said.

On the same occasion, Professor of Airlangga University, Henri Subiakto, conveyed about the use of the internet to digitize the creative economy. According to him, the internet is now a necessity that cannot be ignored.

"Indonesia has 196.7 million internet users, covering almost an average of 34 provinces or 73 percent of the total population in Indonesia. But of course, the number of research results from APJII (Association of Indonesia Internet Provider) in 2020 could increase again in 2021", he explained.

Henri collected some of the data he got, where there was an increase of about 37 percent of new users on all digital economy services during the pandemic. However, even without a pandemic, people will still take advantage of technology.

Looking at Indonesia, he continued, this country has 40 percent of the total population of Southeast Asia. For that, the power of the digital economy is in Indonesia.

"This means that growth in Southeast Asia is also very large, so it is not surprising that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wants the use of the internet to be optimally and productively utilized. Now is the time for young people to do business, don't look for work to become energy. just work, but create jobs to create MSMEs", said Henri.