In Jokowi's Era, The 2024 ASN Smart Target Is Just A Gimmick!

Photo by Luthfiah VOI

JAKARTA - For Indonesia, even for many countries, digital transformation was initially seen as something "still far away". However, the Covid-19 pandemic made the transformation run faster than expected. Digital transformation is a necessity. Unfortunately, public service providers (ASN) seem reluctant to improve their ability to become ASN Smarts.

The concept of Smart ASN began to be introduced in 2019 as part of the Human Capital Management strategy towards Bureaucratic 4.0. However, the SmartASN digital platform was officially launched on October 25, 2023 by the Ministry of PANRB and tested in 79 ministries/agencies. Uniquely, there has not been a single state ministry/institution that has published the cost of ASN Smart training that has been set since 6 years ago until now.

Digitalization will be very beneficial for Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia is an archipelagic country whose population is spread across various regions. ASN Smart Training includes various forms of competency development designed to create adaptive, professional, and ready to face digital era challenges.

Support from the government is provided through the Circular of the Head of BKN Number 3 of 2022 which requires ASN to follow the development of competencies for at least 20 Hours of Teaching (JP) per year. and the Human Capital Management (HCM) strategy Ministry of PANRB - known as the 6P strategy: Planning, Recruitment, Development, Assessment, Promotion, and Improvement of Welfare. With these 6 P, it is hoped that all ASN will become the foundation towards Smart ASN 2024 and Bureaucratic 4.0, with a focus on digitization, work flexibility, and national talent management.

The latest national data regarding the number of ASN who have participated in ASN Smart training has not been officially published or on aggregate. However, there are two indicators that can give an idea that ASN in Indonesia seems slow in its adaptation process to the digital world.

The first indicator, the Ministry of PUPR reported that until the end of 2024, only 37% of its ASN will take part in competency development training of more than 20 Learning Hours (JP) per year. The second indicator is based on records from the State Administration Agency (LAN) which states that only 35.23% of ASN meet competency standards based on the ASN Professionality Index until the end of 2022. Of these two indicators, although the ASN Smart program has been running actively since 2023, the majority of ASN in Indonesia are still in the process of adapting and developing competencies

The government's target to achieve 100% ASN in training for more than 20 Hours of lessons (JP) per year by 2025 is part of a major strategy of transformation of human resources towards Smart ASN- To attract ASN interest, the state provides two bonuses that are not kidding. First, training can be done through classic, e-learning, coaching, mentoring, or converted work experience. And lastly, the training certificate will be integrated into a national talent management system and become part of performance assessment and promotion of positions. Based on the information collected, with the cemented bonus it is still only 35-37 % ASN that meets the 20 JP standard per year.

Deputy Minister of Public Works (Wamen PU) Diana Kusumastuti asked the Head of the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) of the Ministry of Public Works Dadang Rukmana to pursue 50 percent of ASN to be able to attend education, training, and competency development with more than 20 hours per year.

"This is Mr. Dadang (Head of BPSDM Ministry of Public Works), this doesn't seem to be 50 percent. Our efforts this year or next year, sir, must be 50 percent. At least 50 percent must be achieved, we are grateful to be able to add Mr. Dadang," said Diana

Diana added that the purpose of the ASN training is to harmonize education, learning, and also the values of the work culture. As well as, simplifying, accelerating development and also sustainable transformation of employees.

Estonian Collaboration With Indonesia In Accelerating Digital Transformation

Indonesia is expected to be able to complete the main challenges of digital transformation and overall development in the period leading to 2045, which is the target of the vision of Indonesia Gold 2045. This vision is a strategic road map for the government to achieve economic, social and technological progress as a whole, including digital transformation, with a focus on developing better human resources, infrastructure, and governance.

However, big challenges such as educational inequality, uneven infrastructure, and HR readiness must be overcome in stages throughout the journey to 2045. The government continues to make various acceleration efforts, but the full transformation is estimated to take up to 20 years so that Indonesia can achieve the expected level of digital and economic progress.

In short, Indonesia is targeting a complete completion of the main challenges and digital transformation in 2045 according to Indonesia Gold's vision. However, this challenge will be accelerated if this nation collaborates with the pioneer country of digital transformation from the Eastern European continent, Estonia.

Indonesia and Estonia are exploring various collaborations in the field of digital transformation, especially in the development of digital government (e-government) and bureaucratic reform. The collaborations that are being discussed and sought include:

Learning Indonesia's Digital Governance can learn from Estonia about the policy of bureaucratic transformation and the application of digital government that is oriented towards community needs. Estonia has a high level of digitization and is at the forefront of digital bureaucratic reform.

Development of Digital Talents and Education In Collaboration Exploration with Estonian digital talents to advance national education as well as implementation of electronic governance for a more effective government bureaucracy. Digital competency training for ASN is also a strategic focus.

Cybersecurity Cybersecurity Strengthening is an important area of cooperation given the increasingly complex cyber threat. Estonia offers its support in this regard.

Indonesia's Digital Interoperability System is interested in studying Estonia's best practices, such as the X-Road platform, which allows system integration to separate and ensure safe data flows between public and private institutions.

Strengthening Estonia's Public Trust emphasizes the importance of building public trust through transparency in the use of technology, including access to personal data. Overall, the goal of this collaboration is to accelerate Indonesia's learning in building modern and efficient digital governance, improving public services, and strengthening cybersecurity, with the support of Estonian expertise.

The Importance Of The IT Special Department Is Directly Under The President

Singaporean countries are able to accelerate digital transformation due to several key factors, one of which is strong commitment and centralized leadership in national programs such as Smart Nation which integrates cutting-edge technology and data analysis to improve public services and people's lives.

While it is not explicitly stated that there is a special IT department under the Prime Minister, Singapore's success is strongly influenced by strong policy coordination at the highest government level, including large investments in technology infrastructure such as national fiber optic networks, 5G, and regional data centers, as well as close partnerships between the public and private sectors.

In addition, Singapore focuses on developing digital capacity through training, digital diplomacy in ASEAN, and strict cybersecurity, all of which are supported by integrated government policies and clear vision.

In short, Singapore's digital transformation was accelerated by centralized leadership with a strong national vision, advanced technology infrastructure, public-private synergy, and human resource development, although not specifically because of the IT department under the Prime Minister. So, why doesn't Indonesia follow the steps taken by Singapore and Estonia?

IT practitioner from Budi Luhur University, Eko Pribadi said there needs to be a special department or institution at the presidential level that focuses on IT and digital transformation, given the complexity and importance of information technology management in modern governance. Ranu reasoned, to accelerate cross-ministerial/institutional coordination: Digital transformation requires synergy in various sectors, so that special institutions can coordinate TI policies and implementation in an integrated manner.

"The rapid strategic decision-making: By being directly under the president, this department can accelerate strategic decision-making related to national technology and digitization policies," said Information Technology practitioner from Budi Luhur University, Eko Pribadi to VOI, Tuesday, June 24.

Ranu added that monitoring and standardization related to information technology special agencies can monitor cybersecurity, data integration, and standardization.

"Especially in the context of complex and cross-sectoral information technology governance. Equilibrium and collaborative organizational structures, such as matrix structures, enable flexible decision making and team empowerment, which are important in modern IT management." he said.