In this globalization era, the development of technology is something that cannot be prevented anymore. Technology has been such a big help for the conduct of human life in terms of governance, business, and even humanity development. That is why the presence of this technology should be used efficiently in order to make a better world. However in the real world, the fact show a disappointing picture about the use of technology is only effective in the developed country with its much money. The easiest example can be seen clearly in the application of e-government in South East Asia.
What is e-government? How e-government can help in the promotion of democracy for a better country? Based on World Bank Group, E-Government refers to the use of information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile computing) by government agencies that have the ability to transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government.
By conducting governance through e-government, it was hoped that it can integrate the process of G2C (Government to Citizen), G2B (Government to Business Enterprises), and G2G (inter-agency relationship) to be more effective. Consequently, the development of each international government could be intensified more.
This e-government application for better governance has ever boomed in the end of nineteenth century. However the application of it didn’t run well in the developing country, instead only in the developed country with its advanced technology be the one who is successful in conducting this e-government.
Based on UN e-government index, it was stated that only one country (Singapore) among around 11 countries in South East Asia that is positioned in the top 20 country who is ready to apply e-government. As the consequence, it can be seen that Singapore is being the most advanced and democratic country in South East Asia with the help of e-government application.
Meanwhile truthfully, the conduct of e-government will be really helpful in boasting the development program and strengthen the international cooperation amongst those countries. Moreover seeing the current emerging situation of Asia, these 11 South East Asian nations will have more capabilities to make their governance and democratization process to be better.
Seeing this advantage of e-government application can achieve in terms of “democratization”, “environmental support”, “effective, efficiency, and convenience of governance process”, and also “public participation to increase active citizen participation” for South East Asia; it was really regretful to see this e-government doesn’t develop well in South East Asia.
The reason for not applying e-government from year to year will always be the “high cost of maintenance and build the technologies”, “the absence of national law guaranteeing e-government”, “low qualities of human resource”, or “inaccessibility by its people”. Meanwhile if the government can be brave enough to invest in this e-government system, it will be a great investment as the action to face forward globalization era.
Moreover in this era, the presence of cell phone or social media is a must for every citizen around the world; therefore; those reasons not to provide e-government is not eligible anymore. The democracy, economy, humanity, and others development program will be able to be triggered effectively and efficiently with the help of this e-government since people can keep in touch with government directly.
Consequently, until now the government only provides the basic level of e-governance application like “providing the information in the website”. Meanwhile in the fact, that website will not always be updated or provide the sufficient information for people.
In the extreme condition, opponents of e-government even argue that online governmental transparency is dubious because it is maintained by the governments themselves. Information can be added or removed from the public eye. To this day, very few organizations monitor and provide accountability for these modifications. Those that do so are often nonprofit volunteers. Even the governments themselves do not always keep track of the information they insert and delete.
Although in most of South East Asian countries, the application of this e-government is still progressing; but the reality showed that its progress move really slowly. From the measurement value that is given by the “UN e-Government Readiness Index”; there are no special improvement among South East Asian nations in recent years.
Singapore as an advanced country in South East Asia who has strong relations with USA and its advanced technology become the only one who is progressing significantly in the e-government application. As the result, they can grow as the best developing country in South East Asia in term of transparency and democracy, economy, politics, and public administration applications.
The active public participation will also be needed to push and monitor the government about the democracy application through e-government. There is the choice to develop better for South East Asia is located in their government commitment whether they want to truthfully invest in this e-government or not.