Batam awarded for innovative governance, including digital tax and women’s health programs.
Batam has been crowned one of Indonesia’s most innovative regions at the 2024 Innovative Government Award (IGA) held in Surabaya on December 5. The accolade highlights Batam’s exceptional achievements in digital tax management and women’s health initiatives, strengthening its position as a leader in border-area governance.
The Innovative Government Award (IGA) 2024 recognized Batam as one of the most innovative regions in the border area category. Organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the award celebrates government-led programs that enhance public services through innovation. Batam showcased two standout programs: SIMREK, a digital advertising tax system, and KONSER DIVA, a health initiative addressing women’s reproductive health.
The award ceremony, officiated by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk, took place in Surabaya on December 5. Batam was lauded alongside Bintan and Sambas for innovative border-area governance. Yusfa Hendri, representing the Batam municipal government, accepted the award, emphasizing the hard work of all involved.
Batam’s digital innovation, SIMREK (Reklame Management Information System), developed by the local revenue office, aims to streamline advertising tax collection. By digitizing processes, SIMREK enhances efficiency, transparency, and accuracy, ensuring better revenue management. It was nominated in the digital innovation category at the IGA.
KONSER DIVA (Integrated Contraception and IVA Examination) is a pioneering initiative by Tiban Baru Health Center. It integrates contraception services with cervical and breast cancer screenings, addressing reproductive health concerns among women. The program has seen a monthly increase in participation, reflecting its impact on public health awareness.
The Batam municipal government reiterated its dedication to innovation. Yusfa Hendri stated that this recognition serves as motivation to improve public services and ensure efficiency through innovative practices. The award reinforces Batam’s leadership in advancing quality governance.
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The recognition places Batam in the spotlight as a model for other regions in Indonesia. It underscores the importance of adopting technology and health-focused initiatives to improve governance, particularly in border areas. The acknowledgment also highlights Batam’s efforts to align with Indonesia’s national development goals.
Batam’s recognition as an innovative government serves as a testament to its progressive development. With programs like SIMREK and KONSER DIVA, Batam is transforming public service delivery, making it a forward-thinking region and an attractive destination for investment and collaboration.
Batam has been awarded the 2024 Innovative Government Award for its achievements in digital tax collection (SIMREK) and women’s health (KONSER DIVA). The award, presented in Surabaya, highlights Batam’s commitment to innovation in public services, particularly in border-area governance.
Source: RRI (2024)
Keywords: Batam, Innovative Government Award, Border Area Excellence
