National Archives Strengthens Commitment to Electronic Archival Governance

KBRN, Jakarta: The National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI) has once again underscored its commitment to improving national archival governance through digital transformation. The statement was delivered by National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia Head Mego Pinandito during the opening of the Workshop on the Follow-Up to Archival Supervision Recommendations, held on Monday, (19/05/2025).

In collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Communication and Digital, and the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform, ANRI is intensifying efforts to optimize the use of electronic records systems. The goal is to make the process of documenting and tracking government documents more efficient, transparent, and accessible.

Pinandito emphasized that archives management is not merely a technical matter, but a national agenda. “National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia is tasked with overseeing the management of all official government records—both at the central and regional levels—from Sabang to Merauke,” he stated. This reflects the national scope and significance of the initiative.

The current workshop focuses on regional archival governance in Indonesia’s eastern territories, covering Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, North Maluku, and Papua. Pinandito also noted the importance of understanding the evolving regional landscape, including the administrative expansion of new provinces and districts.

He extended his appreciation to representatives from key ministries for their presence and collaboration.

“When we talk about regional archival systems, our closest partner is the Ministry of Home Affairs, as they deal directly with regional leaders, governors, mayors, and village heads,” he explained.

Pinandito highlighted the critical importance of ensuring archival infrastructure reaches even the most remote areas. He acknowledged ongoing infrastructure challenges but expressed optimism that the digital transformation would eventually cover every inch of the country, thanks to support from the Ministry of Communication and Digital.

Central to ANRI’s digital initiative is the development of the Serikandi system—Indonesia’s national electronic records system.

“With Serikandi, we aim to eliminate reliance on paper. No more printer ink shortages, broken printers, or misplaced documents,” Pinandito said, stressing the operational efficiency gained from digitization.

In addition to efficiency, digitization also enhances supervision and compliance. National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia plays a role similar to financial audit bodies like Financial Audit Agency (BPK) and Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) in ensuring all institutions adhere to proper records management in accordance with Law No. 43 of 2009 on Archives and other supporting regulations.

Pinandito noted that one key purpose of supervision is to make sure records are properly stored, easily retrievable, and available when needed.

“This supports better policy planning and prevents repeated mistakes—especially in drafting new local regulations,” he added.

The ANRI Head encouraged inter-regional collaboration and networking among participants, urging those from regions still dependent on paper systems to learn from peers who have transitioned to digital platforms.

“You don’t need to start from zero—borrow from others, adjust it to your needs, and go from there,” he advised.

He also addressed common misconceptions about digital systems being trouble-free.

“Electronic systems come with their own challenges, like electricity outages and internet disruptions. But these are manageable with the right support and planning,” Pinandito acknowledged.

Finally, he stressed that archives hold the nation’s collective memory and could contribute to global heritage.

“With proper documentation, we can propose certain regional records for UNESCO’s Memory of the World list,” he said.

The workshop, which runs for two days, is expected to strengthen the quality of archival services nationwide, marking a step forward in preserving Indonesia’s institutional and cultural legacy