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Academics and Researchers Criticize National Dashboard Information System for Lack of Transparency and Vulnerability to Moral Hazard



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Academics and Researchers Criticize National Dashboard Information System for Lack of Transparency and Vulnerability to Moral Hazard

InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Academics and researchers have criticized the National Dashboard, an information system promoted by the government to support sustainable commodity governance. This system is deemed non-transparent, potentially creating moral hazards within the bureaucracy, and has not yet become an effective governance instrument.

Grahat Nagara, an academic from STHI Jentera, emphasized that information systems like the National Dashboard must ensure they do not create loopholes for moral hazards among bureaucrats. “Most existing information systems are not open to the public. There is no traceability-based information available that can serve as a basis for public accountability,” he stated in an official statement to InfoSAWIT on Thursday (December 19, 2024).

Grahat highlighted the case of illegal palm oil exports as an example, where government-managed information systems should be utilized to control data exchange and prevent information asymmetry. He added that the government needs to revise the list of information excluded from public access.

“For instance, the decision of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture No. 19 of 2022 closed off licensing data and plantation maps under the pretext of protecting Indonesia's natural wealth. However, the public, which is concerned about the impacts of resource exploitation policies, cannot access this data,” Grahat explained.

Sayyidatihayaa Afra, a researcher from Satya Bumi, also criticized the National Dashboard policy for its lack of transparency and public access limitations. According to her, information systems related to sustainable commodities should be built with high credibility to enhance the competitiveness of commodities in the global market.

She also pointed out the statement from the Indonesian government representative at the Joint Task Force (JTF) meeting in Brussels, which raised concerns about transparency requirements in the European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR). “The government argues that sharing data with other countries violates existing laws in Indonesia, while Law No. 27 of 2022 on Personal Data Protection does not prohibit data sharing, except for individual data without consent,” Hayaa stated.

She believes that the obligations for transparency, data traceability, and due diligence mandated in the EUDR could actually present an opportunity to improve the governance of Indonesian commodities. “The National Dashboard should be designed to support accountability, not merely serve as an administrative tool,” Hayaa asserted.

Criticism of the National Dashboard indicates that the government needs to evaluate the effectiveness of this system in supporting sustainable governance. Furthermore, policies that restrict public access to data are considered inconsistent with the need to enhance transparency and accountability.

With increasing global demands such as the EUDR, the government is expected to build a more inclusive, transparent information system that supports the strengthening of sustainable commodity governance. Without significant changes, the National Dashboard risks becoming an ineffective and counterproductive policy for natural resource governance efforts in Indonesia. (T2)


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