Batam City has made it to the finals of the 2024 Innovative Government Award (IGA), showcasing groundbreaking public service initiatives that demonstrate its commitment to enhanced governance. The city’s innovations range from digital tax management to healthcare services focused on early cancer detection, underscoring Batam’s efforts to improve the well-being of its residents.

Batam’s entry into the prestigious Innovative Government Award (IGA) competition reflects the city’s dedication to transforming public services. Representing Batam in the IGA assessments was City Secretary Jefridin, who presented Batam’s top initiatives to a panel of experts, including professors from Gadjah Mada University and representatives from Indonesia’s National Border Management Agency (BNPP).

One of Batam’s digital contributions to the IGA is the SIMREK (Advertisement Management Information System), developed by the Batam Regional Revenue Agency. This digital tax solution aims to enhance tax collection accuracy and efficiency, directly impacting the city’s regional revenue. As Jefridin explained, “SIMREK’s integration has proven that digitalizing advertisement tax management can significantly boost Batam’s revenue potential.”

In healthcare, Batam presented Integrated Contraception SADANIS IVA Examination (KONSER DIVA), a community health initiative launched by Tiban Baru Health Center. This integrated program focuses on early detection of cervical and breast cancer by encouraging women to undergo regular screenings. The initiative has successfully raised awareness and increased screenings, growing from 114 women in 2021 to over 1,500 by September 2024.

The IGA jury appreciated the diversity of Batam’s innovations, which range from high-tech systems to grassroots health initiatives, demonstrating the city’s commitment to advancing both public health and governance efficiency. Jefridin emphasized that Batam’s innovation extends beyond technology, noting it’s about ‘applying change to improve community life and foster a competitive environment in Batam.

These initiatives come on the heels of Batam’s own Innovation Awards, where the city recognized 173 projects aimed at advancing public service. Officially acknowledged in the Mayor’s Decree No. 454/2023, these projects reflect Batam’s focus on addressing immediate community needs and promoting long-term growth through innovation.

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Through IGA 2024, Batam hopes to inspire further improvements across Indonesia, showing how public sector innovation can uplift communities. “Our goal is not just technological advancements but creating meaningful changes in our residents’ lives,” Jefridin concluded. With these efforts, Batam demonstrates that effective public innovation can elevate city services and foster community resilience.

Batam’s position as an IGA finalist underscores the city’s commitment to public service advancements. With programs targeting tax efficiency and community health, Batam is setting a benchmark for sustainable, community-focused innovation in Indonesia.

Batam’s finalist status in the 2024 IGA showcases its public service innovations, including digital tax systems and healthcare initiatives aimed at cancer prevention. These efforts illustrate Batam’s commitment to enhancing public welfare and economic growth.

Sources: Info Publik, Media Center (2024)

Keywords: Batam Innovation, IGA 2024, Digital Tax Systems