Semarang, April 25, 2025 – Aryanto Nugroho, National Coordinator of Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia, was one of the speakers at the public discussion titled “Digital Democracy: Public Participation in Government Oversight in the Digital Era,” organized online by Perhimpunan PATTIRO Semarang on April 25, 2025. Alongside Aryanto, Arif Adiputro, a researcher from the Indonesia Parliamentary Center (IPC), also participated, engaging with attendees from various stakeholder groups.
The public discussion underscored how the digital era has brought significant transformation in how society interacts with the government, particularly in promoting transparency, accountability, and public participation. Through the use of digital technologies—such as social media, public complaint platforms, budget dashboards, and open information portals—citizens now have broader access to information and channels to voice their aspirations and critiques regarding public policies and services.
Public participation is no longer confined to physical forums like community deliberations or direct hearings but has evolved and expanded through various digital media. Technology enables real-time engagement from anywhere, in diverse forms: from digital campaigns and legislative monitoring to reporting issues with public services. This creates significant opportunities for more inclusive and responsive oversight.
However, several challenges continue to hinder the effectiveness of digital participation. Disparities in access to technology, low digital literacy, bureaucratic resistance to transparency, and the absence of regulations supporting meaningful public involvement remain critical issues. On the other hand, numerous initiatives from civil society and the government are beginning to explore technology-based collaborations to build a stronger ecosystem for public oversight.
Budget Transparency and the Role of Inclusive Technology in Promoting Accountability in the Extractive Sector
Aryanto specifically presented a topic titled “Budget Transparency and the Role of Inclusive Technology in Promoting Accountability in the Extractive Sector.” According to him, budget transparency is a cornerstone for ensuring accountability in managing the extractive sector, which forms the backbone of Indonesia’s economy. Open information is not only a citizen’s right to oversee the government but also a tool to prevent corruption and ensure social and ecological justice. Amid governance challenges, inclusive technology emerges as a vital catalyst for strengthening public oversight.
Budget transparency, supported by inclusive technology, serves as a bridge to accountability in the extractive sector. Amid the government transition and the acceleration of national strategic projects, rigorous oversight of natural resource budgets is essential. Aryanto called on the government, civil society, and the private sector to enhance information openness, optimize inclusive technology, and ensure the participation of marginalized groups in decision-making processes.
He highlighted the city of Semarang as a positive model, which, since joining the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Local in 2020, has provided over 200 local budget datasets through the Satu Data Semarang portal. Collaboration with civil society organizations (CSOs), including PATTIRO Semarang, has enabled the public to monitor budget allocations and promote justice in natural resource management. (AN)