TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in the plenary meeting of the 32nd ASEAN Summit taking place in Singapore stated the smart cities is not merely about using the technology. Jokowi argued the smart city should also improve the people’s mindset.

“The more important is how to further improve the mindset, behavior, character of the community,” said Jokowi as noted in an official statement sent by Presidential Secretary, Saturday, April 28.

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In the ASEAN Summit, President Jokowi conveyed that Indonesia is currently establishing a movement towards 100 smart cities which aimed at encouraging the utilization of technology as to advance the city as well as realizing the more effective, transparent, and trusted governance. However, the program is not stopped at the technology usage and the constructional development.

Indonesia, Jokowi said, supports the idea of ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) that is believed to be able to tackle the challenges of the complex urban problems with technological support and innovation.

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According to the former Jakarta Governor, the development of ASCN must consider the needs and potential of each city and its local wisdom. "ASCN should be also oriented on improving the public services and focus on encouraging the community to innovate," said Jokowi.

He explained, ASEAN has a huge potential in the e-commerce sector. In 2025, the internet user in ASEAN is predicted to be tripled at 600 million users.

"The spending on e-commerce sector is projected to reach nearly US$ 90 billion and the total internet-based economy will reach up to US$ 200 billion," Jokowi said.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI