Giving Information Access to Absorb Aspiration

Tatang Mulyana Sinaga

· 5 minutes read

Information has become a basic need of society in today\'s open era. The government needs to be more innovative in providing easier access for the people to get information through various platforms. In West Java, a number of platforms have been introduced not only to disseminate information related to the government’s programs but also to absorb the people’s aspiration.

In West Java, innovations in providing easier and fast access to information were carried out through a number of programs, including the Jawa Barat Punya Informasi (Japri) media forum, Leadership Meeting to Gather the People’s Aspiration and West Java Quick Response.

The Japri program is a forum between the West Java provincial government and the media, which is regularly held every week with certain themes according to developing issues. The forum entered its 31st edition on July 4. The forum was held in the backyard of the Gedung Sate building in Bandung, West Java. It was held in an open space in order to make it less formal. The Japri forum was initiated by West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil and was launched on Sept. 27, 2018, when he was less than a month into his term.

The head of the public relations and protocol bureau of the West Java provincial government, Hermansyah, said the people’s demand from the government continued to increase. In addition to infrastructure development, giving better access to information is equally important. Japri is a kind of information bridge.

"We convey information to the media. This way, the public will know what the government is doing through media coverage," Hermansyah said.

The theme discussed in the Japri forum follows the latest issues in the public. During its 29th edition on Friday (21/6), the Jafri forum was themed, The Readiness of West Java International Airport (BIJB). The theme was related to a plan to move 13 domestic flight routes from Husein Sastranegara Airport in Bandung to the BIJB, Majalengka regency, starting on July 1.

Through the media reports, prospective passengers know the list of routes that have been moved and land transportation facilities to the BIJB

The speakers at the forum did not only come from the West Java Transportation Agency, but also from airport operator PT Angkasa Pura, airlines and state bus company Perum Damri. As the speakers came from all related stakeholders, the media was able to get all the information needed, such as the transfer of routes, airline readiness, airport facilities and land transportation facilities to the airport.

"Through the media reports, prospective passengers know the list of routes that have been moved and land transportation facilities to the BIJB," Hermansyah said.

Unlike Japri, in the Leadership Meeting to Gather the People Aspiration (Tepas) is the discussion forum between the government and the people. In this forum, the people can directly get information from

the government and also to directly raise their aspiration. Initially, this program was held every week. However, because of the tight agenda of the governor and deputy governor, it was later held once a month.

Through the Tepas forum, the people met with the governor at his official residence in the Pakuan Building. In the meeting, the residents shared information about the various problems they had, so that government officials could help find the solutions. In the forum, the West Java provincial government can answer complaints and concerns of its citizens. A number of the residents affected by natural disasters from a number of areas in the province were also invited to join the forum.

At the official residence, residents and the governor and a number of officials talked on the veranda. They included the victims of the recent windstorms in Rancaekek, Bandung regency, and victims of flash floods in Ujungberung, Bandung City. Most asked for help to repair their houses.

Efforts to absorb the people\'s aspirations are also made through various hotline channels on the Jabar Quick Response (JQR). Residents can raise problems without meeting government representatives. Complaints can be reported through 08111357777 and social media, such as Twitter @QrJabar, Instagram @jabarquickresponse and Facebook at Jabar Quick Response.

Therefore, this program is not funded by the regional budget because it would take a long time to get the required funds.

Hermansyah said the JQR accommodates problems that need to be resolved immediately, such as health, damaged homes and school dropouts. Therefore, this program is not funded by the regional budget because it would take a long time to get the required funds.JQR funds come from third parties, such as the business world through corporate social responsibility (CSR). Since its launch in September 2018, more than 40,000 cases of complaints have been reported. However, only 300 complaints were handled.

“Not all complaints can be handled through the JQR. For example, the construction of bridges that need large funds from the regional budget," he said.

Ridwan Kamil said the JQR integrated services received initial information related to various community problems, such as limited access to food, health, education and inequality of public facilities and infrastructure. The information will be used as a basis in finding solutions.

“Innovation and collaboration are needed to combat poverty in West Java. All parties, especially local governments, must be responsive," he said.

The advantage of the JQR has been felt by many residents. One of them is traditional puppet master Entis Sutisna, 98, or Aki Acin, who has diabetes. He was treated at the Cahya Kawaluyan Hospital in September 2018.

Aki Acin, who does not have a Health Care and Social Security Agency (BPJS) card, was able to receive treatment from the hospital until he recovered with the help of the JQR program after fellow puppet masters shared the information about his health condition through social media.

Innovations in information systems are important and inseparable from development efforts.

Editor:

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