TOTM Technologies pushes forward Indonesia's digital ID transformation

• Contracts valued at approximately US$5.1m to be implemented by end of year
• US$250m contribution from World Bank to strengthen Indonesia's digital ID efforts

Singapore based TOTM Technologies, through its wholly-owned subsidiary PT International Biometrics Indonesia (InterBio), has recently secured three contracts related to secure identity systems from Indonesia's Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA). The contracts, valued at approximately US$5.1 million (RM23.9 million), encompass Annual Technical Support (ATS) for Indonesia’s National ID system maintenance services and the deployment of a new Automated Biometrics Identification System (ABIS). 

The partnership between TOTM Technologies, MOHA of Indonesia, and the Directorate of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) is a collaboration to maintain and improve one of the world's largest National ID databases. "These wins represent another key milestone in the robust growth of our Indonesian business and our significant partnership with Dukcapil, and affirms the shared commitment by MOHA and TOTM to bolster the depth of the country’s digital transformation journey to further drive economic growth and provide equal opportunities to all its citizens," said Pierre Prunier (right), CEO and executive director of TOTM Technologies. 

The first contract is to provide ATS for the system maintenance services of Indonesia’s National ID system from September to December 2023, for a total contract value for approximately US$1.3 million (RM6.1 million). The second and third contracts are for the deployment of a new additional ABIS for Indonesia’s National ID system with the total contract value of US$740,000 from June to October 2023. 

[RM1 = US$0.213]

"TOTM continues to support Dukcapil’s vision of Indonesia being a leader amongst ASEAN nations for digital transformation," he continued. "Especially when we work with the Indonesian government to scale up, deploy and continue to maintain one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive National ID databases."

Complements US$250 million contribution by the World Bank

This partnership is made against the background of an announcement by the World Bank Group in May to issue US$250 million to Indonesia as part of a move to complement the efforts made by Indonesia to strengthen its digital ID systems. The hope was to bring about a paradigm shift in how people across the 17,000-island archipelago access services, bridging the urban-rural digital divide and significantly enhancing the business landscape.

The digital identity ecosystem proposed by the World Bank involves a multifold strategy. Notably, the project aims to reform population registration (PR) and civil registration (CR) processes, and to develop an effective identity verification and eKYC platform. The ambition is to build an infrastructure on par with leading global standards, with a focus on protecting personal data.

Despite the inherent challenges of a widespread geographical terrain, Indonesia has made significant advances in implementing digital ID, boasting a comprehensive 97% adoption rate for its national ID numbers and electronic ID cards, while 88.4% of those aged 17 and under have birth certificates.. This move from the World Bank, aimed at digitizing identity, is expected to overcome geographical shortcomings and help tackle a significant gender divide in financial inclusion.