DPR Asked To Take More ADVANTAGE Of Technology To Absorb And Answer Citizen's Aspirations

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The commitment of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, to improve the performance of the council, needs to be supported. The DPR is also asked to rely more on technology so that the absorption of aspirations can skyrocket.

"I see the speech of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, who admits that the DPR is still not working optimally as a positive step in transparency and accountability," said Political Communication Analyst Silvanus Alvin, Wednesday, August 30.

Puan's negligence acknowledges the shortcomings and challenges faced by the DPR are the first steps towards improvement. This is considered as the DPR's desire to build public trust.

"This reflects a sense of responsibility for the role of the DPR in representing the aspirations of the people and trying to give the best for the community," he said.

In her speech, Puan also revealed that the DPR RI received 4,603 aspirations and complaints from the people through physical mail and 255 letters through the DPR website. The number of complaints that came in was considered a sign that the DPR had accommodated the aspirations of the people.

"This is important in the context of democracy, because it reflects that the DPR wants to open communication channels with its citizens and pay attention to input and complaints that come from various levels of society," said Alvin.

This lecturer at the Faculty of Communication, Universitas Multimedia Nusantara (UMN) also appealed to the DPR to continue to develop other potentials in absorbing public aspirations in the Tebgsh of the rapid development of the technological era. One of them, according to Alvin, is the use of social media.

"In the digital era and with the wider use of social media in Indonesia, the DPR should take advantage of this great potential as a more direct and inclusive communication channel with the public," he said.

Alvin is of the view that technology can be a forum where people voice opinions, complaints, or aspirations to the DPR. Moreover, in Indonesia there are 167 million social media users with various platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and other social media.

"The DPR can use social media analysis tools to sort out and understand the trends and issues that are being discussed by the public. This can help the DPR to understand public sentiment and know urgent issues need to be addressed," explained Alvin.

"In addition, responding to complaints or mentioning on social media, the DPR can also increase transparency and accountability," continued the British University of Leicester master graduate.

With the quick response from the DPR through public platforms, Alvin assessed that this would be concrete evidence of the DPR's efforts to fight for the aspirations of the people.

"However, of course, this step also needs to be accompanied by a structured and efficient process in dealing with complaints that enter through social media. This will ensure that all inputs are properly considered and get the appropriate response," said Alvin.

On the other hand, the DPR is reminded to integrate the absorption of public aspirations conveyed through social media with a legislative work mechanism and decision-making. Alvin assessed that this effort would bring the DPR closer to the people.

"Also answering the people's needs, and taking a stronger role in realizing a more inclusive and responsive democracy to the times," he said.

Alvin also added that the DPR could be more proactive by utilizing technological features. That way, people will feel quick to get answers or responses from their representatives in the DPR.