Minister of Communication and Information (center) with ASKALSI Supervisory Board Marwan O. Baasir (second from left), ASKALSI Chairman 2021-2023 who also serves as Telin Chief Technology Officer Akhmad Ludfy (third from right), new ASKALSI Chairman who also serves as Telkom EGM Service Operation Suharyoto (far left), ASKALSI Secretary General Resi Y. Bramani (far right), and ASKALSI Treasurer Elly Noor Qomariyah (second from right) during the fourth edition of its Extraordinary Assembly and National Working Meeting at Telkom Landmark Tower, Jakarta, Wednesday (6/12).

General Chairman of ASKALSI 2021-2023 who also serves as Telin Chief Technology Officer Akhmad Ludfy (third from right), new Chairman of ASKALSI who also serves as Telkom EGM Service Operation Suharyoto (far left), ASKALSI Supervisory Board Marwan O. Baasir (second from left), ASKALSI Secretary General Resi Y. Bramani (far right), and ASKALSI Treasurer Elly Noor Qomariyah (second from right) at the fourth edition of its Extraordinary Assembly and National Working Meeting at Telkom Landmark Tower, Jakarta, Wednesday (6/12).

The Chairman's announcement was made during the Extraordinary Assembly IV and National Working Meeting 

Jakarta, 7 December 2023 – The Indonesian Association of Maritime Cable Communication System Operators (ASKALSI) held  Wednesday (6/12) the fourth edition of its Extraordinary Assembly and National Working Meeting at Telkom Landmark Tower, Jakarta with Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi in attendance. Also present were the ASKALSI Supervisory Board, Marwan O. Baasir, Secretary General, Resi Y. Bramani, and the board of management. The program's main agenda was the change in ASKALSI leadership from Telin Chief Technology Officer, Akhmad Ludfy to the newly elected chairman Suharyoto, who also serves as EGM Service Operation of PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom). 

"As I begin to assume this new position, I am committed to providing an overview and awareness to all stakeholders about how important the maritime cable communication system is. It is not only a national infrastructure but also the main pillar for digital economic growth in Indonesia. Let's together realize the vision of clean, innovative, and open governance," Suharyoto said.

In addition to the appointment of ASKALSI's new chairman, the assembly also presented the results of a study on the rationalization of licensing and fees in the telecommunications sector to achieve equal and fair connectivity in Indonesia. This study prepared by Forbil Institute and Tritech Consult Bandung, was jointly commissioned by ASKALSI and other associations, namely the Association of Indonesian Cellular Operators (ATSI), Association of Indonesian Internet Providers (APJII), and Telecommunication Network Providers Association  (APJATEL). One of the results of this study discusses the regulatory costs in the telecommunications industry which currently exceed 14%, and ASKALSI hopes that the government can reduce the regulatory burden to below 10% for the sake of the telecommunications industry's robustness, which is a driver for other industries.

In line with this, ASKALSI's Supervisory Board, Marwan O. Baasir said, "complex challenges in the world of communications require ASKALSI to lead with integrity and innovation. I hope that ASKALSI continues to develop infrastructure, improve security, and maintain high standards in service to support reliable and efficient connectivity throughout Indonesia.”

On the same occasion, ASKALSI also inaugurated a new secretariat office at The Telkom Hub, Graha Merah Putih Building, 9th floor, Jalan Jenderal Gatot Subroto Kav. 52, Jakarta. This inauguration was also supported by Telkom as a member of ASKALSI which has the longest submarine cable in Indonesia. The new secretariat office will serve to facilitate coordination between members, improve maritime cable communication system technology, and strengthen collaboration with other stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kominfo), Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment (Marinves), Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Ministry of Transportation, especially the Directorate General of Maritime Relations), Central Hydro-Oceanography of the Indonesian Navy (Pushidrosal), and the National Team (Timnas).

Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi said, "Amid the projected fluctuations in the global submarine cable industry, the Indonesian market tends to increase and has the potential to grow 13.5 percent or the equivalent of 220 million in 2027. As an archipelagic country, Indonesia has the potential to develop a maritime cable communication system. I appreciate ASKALSI's role as an important stakeholder in Indonesia's infrastructure development. Kominfo always welcomes constructive input and suggestions from all ASKALSI members for Indonesia's connectivity.”

The agenda then continued with the launch of the "Planning & Construction Procedures for Marine Cable Communication Systems" pocketbook, which is expected to bring in a new spirit in increasing competence and sharing knowledge and best practices from maritime cable communication system operators in Indonesia. The book provides an overview and awareness to all stakeholders about the importance of the maritime cable communication system as a national infrastructure that has a big impact on the digital economy in Indonesia.

It is expected that the nation's future young generation will be able to understand the procedures, planning, and development of the maritime cable communication system, which is currently still dominated by foreign workers. The nation's youth can dream and aspire to build ships and have expertise in deploying and repairing maritime cable communication systems in Indonesia, considering that most of Indonesia's territory is ocean.

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