More Transparent! Bontang Officially Declares Informative Public Agency Zone in 2025

Kapanlagi.com - A significant step towards a more open government has finally been taken by the Bontang City Government. At the PPID and KIM 2025 Award Night, Wednesday (26/11/2025), the Bontang City Government officially declared itself as an Informative Public Agency Zone. This commitment is proof that Bontang is serious about presenting a transparent, accountable governance system, ready to face the developments of the digital era.

Held at the 3D Park Auditorium, the event was led directly by the Mayor of Bontang, Neni Moerniaeni. In front of the invited guests, Neni emphasized the importance of information openness as the key to modern governance.

"Transparency is no longer an option, but a necessity. Under our leadership together with Deputy Mayor Agus Haris, Bontang is moving quickly to implement digital transformation and information openness as the foundation towards a Smart City that serves with precision," said Neni.

Two Years Strengthening Information Openness

The declaration of the Informative Public Agency Zone did not come about by chance. Over the past two years, the Bontang City Government has continuously strengthened the quality of information, accelerated the digitization of services, and expanded public access to government data. These efforts have received national recognition.

According to Neni, several major awards received by Bontang are proof that the reforms are on the right track. One of them is the Indonesia Smart Nation Award (ISNA) 2025, which places Bontang as one of the cities with the best digital innovation and governance.

In addition, the Bontang City Government also recorded achievements through the "AA" (Exceptional) predicate on the Legal Reform Index (IRH) 2025 with a score of 98.60 from the Ministry of Law of the Republic of Indonesia. This assessment shows that regional legal products, including their information transparency, have met high accountability standards.

In front of the participants present, Mayor Neni presented several achievements that solidify Bontang as an informative city. One of them is the issuance of 2,489 Business Identification Numbers (NIB) throughout 2025 through a digital licensing system. This transformation reduces manual queues and allows the licensing process to take place more quickly, transparently, and can be tracked by applicants.

Not only that, the Bontang City Government also expanded the digitalization of tax and retribution payments through TP2DD. This step helps increase financial transparency while minimizing the potential for deviations.

Another program that is highlighted is the distribution of 79 laptop units for posyandu, aimed at accelerating the recording of health data for toddlers and pregnant women. With a digital system, data can be monitored more accurately and openly for the benefit of public health services.

"This is a real depiction of an Informative Public Agency, a government that serves with open, fast, and easily accessible data," said Neni.

In addition to national recognition, the City of Bontang also won 1st place in the Public Information Openness Competition in the category of District/City Government in East Kalimantan. This achievement confirms that the transparency efforts being made are consistent from the level of regional apparatus to public service units.

Neni expressed special appreciation to the Main PPID, the Implementing PPID, and the Community Information Group (KIM). According to him, they are the spearhead of the dissemination of official government information as well as the front line in countering hoaxes and disinformation.

"This award is a manifestation of our appreciation to all regional devices and communities committed to upholding the public's right to receive accurate information. May it trigger the birth of new innovations in public services," he stated.

Closing the declaration, Mayor Neni invited all government elements and the community to work together to maintain positive energy towards a more open government.

"Don't let the public struggle to obtain information about development. Convey the progress of this city in a language that is easy to understand and through accessible channels. Let us realize Bontang, which is not only advanced in its infrastructure but also smart and transparent in its governance," he said.

With the declaration of the Informative Public Body Zone, Bontang affirms its position as one of the cities with the best information openness practices in Indonesia, while also marking an important step towards a modern government based on data, technology, and public participation.

(kpl/wri)