Indonesia’s government currently operates approximately 27,000 separate digital applications across its ministries and agencies, a situation experts say hinders effective policymaking and efficient governance.
Fragmented Systems Raise Concerns
According to the Ministry of Communication and Digital, as of January 2026, these applications operate independently, lacking integration with one another. This fragmentation raises concerns about inconsistent data and inefficient policy implementation.
Dyah Mutiarin, Professor of Digital Government Transformation at Muhammadiyah University of Yogyakarta, described the situation as an “anomaly” given the government’s stated goals for digital transformation. She warned that the lack of interoperability – the ability of systems to accurately exchange data – could lead to inconsistent data standards and reinforce divisions between government bodies.
The Importance of Interoperability
“If data is not interconnected, policy analysis will be slow, imprecise, and at high risk of producing inaccurate decisions for the public,” Dyah Mutiarin stated. Strengthening interoperability, she emphasized, requires addressing not only technological challenges but also issues of governance, regulation, and institutional capacity.
Dyah Mutiarin proposed a move toward “predictive governance,” where the government anticipates public needs through integrated data use. She suggested developing data policy models capable of projecting key issues five to ten years in advance, and mapping interoperability needs across agencies, particularly at the regional level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is interoperability?
Interoperability is the ability of different systems to exchange and use data accurately, as stated by Dyah Mutiarin.
What are the potential consequences of a fragmented system?
A fragmented system could lead to inconsistent data standards, entrenched divisions among government bodies, and inaccurate policy decisions, according to Dyah Mutiarin.
What is the proposed solution to this problem?
The proposed solution involves strengthening interoperability through technological improvements, governance changes, and a shift toward predictive governance that anticipates public needs through integrated data use.
As Indonesia continues its push for digital transformation, will the government prioritize the integration of its vast network of applications to unlock the full potential of data-driven policymaking?
