APTIKNAS Drives Indonesia’s Smart Nation Vision through Digital Talent and Strategic Technologies
Jakarta, INTI – In an exclusive interview conducted directly by the INTI Media team on April 21, 2025, Fanky Christian, General Secretary of the Indonesian ICT Business Association (APTIKNAS), spoke to us about his extensive journey in the industry and the critical role of innovation and cybersecurity in shaping Indonesia’s digital resilience. With over two decades of experience spanning the private sector and various industry associations, Fanky is at the forefront of Indonesia’s digital transformation efforts.
As an association that brings together key players in Indonesia’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, APTIKNAS has consistently taken an active role in advancing the national digital ecosystem. In this interview, Fanky Christian outlines the organization’s strategic initiatives, emphasizing strong collaboration with the government and other stakeholders.
APTIKNAS' Five Core Programs
Since its establishment, APTIKNAS has implemented five major programs as its foundation:
Development of Digital Talent, addressing the growing need for skilled human resources in the digital era.
Support for Industry 4.0, aligned with the government’s “Making Indonesia 4.0” initiative launched in 2018.
Cybersecurity, emphasizing the importance of national cyber sovereignty amidst increasingly complex cyber threats.
Transformation of IT resellers, encouraging industry players to move beyond sales and build value-added services.
APTIKNAS Smart Nation, a comprehensive initiative introduced in 2022 to drive digital transformation across sectors.
The APTIKNAS Smart Nation initiative focuses on eight strategic development areas: digital talent, digital leadership, digital cities, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, blockchain, and hardware development.
“Our hope is that all members and partners of APTIKNAS move in the same direction—building a shared foundation toward Indonesia’s Smart Nation vision,” said Fanky.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Digital Era
Fanky emphasized that the biggest challenge today is the readiness of human resources. In a borderless world, competition no longer comes only from within, but from across the globe.
“Indonesian youth must be prepared to compete. Work is now borderless—software development can be done from anywhere,” he stated. He also highlighted the importance of technical skills—especially in software development and cybersecurity—and fluency in English as key factors for global competitiveness.
In addition to human resource challenges, Indonesia’s ICT industry also lacks a strong hardware manufacturing base. While some local factories have emerged due to the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) regulation, their numbers remain limited.
“These local factories could be a great opportunity for our young talents to contribute their ideas and be absorbed into the industry,” Fanky added.
Local Regulations and Global Competition
APTIKNAS also addressed the dynamic global trade landscape that affects domestic industries. For instance, certain countries are pressuring Indonesia to remove TKDN regulations or ease import quotas.
“TKDN protects our local industries. If it’s removed, local manufacturers will face significant risks. We need to be cautious,” he stressed.
Despite the challenges, Fanky believes Indonesia has great potential. “With a large population and vast market, Indonesia could become a major player in the region—provided we can maintain our independence and not be dominated by foreign players,” he concluded.
Conclusion
APTIKNAS plays a crucial role in shaping Indonesia’s digital future through comprehensive strategies focused on talent, collaboration, and technological resilience. Initiatives like Smart Nation and efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and local industries position APTIKNAS not only as a bridge between the private sector and government but also as a key driver of national digital independence. Amid global challenges, the organization invites all stakeholders to jointly build a strong, sovereign, and internationally competitive ICT ecosystem.
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