Contribution of Frans Seda, who served as transportation minister during the 1968-1973 period, was relevant to the current developments in digital technology, Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate stated.

“At that time, one of the portfolios of the Transportation Ministry was telecommunications. The basis of the current telecommunications policy is a continuation of the pioneering policy that Mr. Frans Seda made, which is physical connectivity by building airports and seaports all across Indonesia, with very limited land, while simultaneously establishing telecommunications,” Minister Plate noted at “The National Seminar on Frans Seda’s Footsteps – Struggle and Devotion to God and the Motherland” as quoted from a press statement on Friday.

During Seda’s era, communications and telecommunications were used to connect between islands and between ethnic groups, with different dialects.

“Mr Frans Seda has done a lot for the glory of our state. He is well-known as a figure, who is the pivotal point between the struggle for nationalism and faith or religion,” the minister noted.

The former minister’s footsteps must be followed by people of the current era, during which democracy has developed tremendously and communication media use digital technology, so that information could spread further, he noted.

Indonesian language was spread across the country through telecommunication facilities that existed at that time.

Currently, telecommunication facilities that have been built must be improved with digital transformation.

Apart from being transportation minister, he also served as finance minister during the 1966-1968 period. Thus, Seda is not only known as a political figure but also as one who fought to maintain independence.

“(It is) because he was involved in a physical war to maintain independence against attempts to divide (by) the Dutch. He was also a prominent educator, who formed educational institutions,” the minister remarked.

Moreover, he contributed to national journalism. Seda initiated the Kompas newspaper as well. Plate called him an economist, who saved Indonesia from the big storm after the Old Order.

With all he had done for Indonesia, he supports the proposal to make Frans Seda a national hero.

Source: Antara News