REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Communication and Informatics (Kominfo) Ministry is always open to discussion on workable concrete measures for combating book piracy, Kominfo Deputy Minister Nezar Patria stated in Yogyakarta on Monday (January 22).

According to the Kominfo Ministry in Jakarta on Tuesday, Patria made the statement during his participation in a discussion titled "Yogya Against Book Piracy" organized by the Association of Indonesian Publishers (IKAPI).

"The Kominfo Ministry is open to discuss this matter in a deeper and more detailed manner with all relevant stakeholders while paying attention to our current level of digital technology," he remarked.

Patria noted that the IKAPI, book publishers, and literacy activists can collaborate with the Kominfo Ministry, Law and Human Rights Ministry, and law enforcers in their fight against the practice of book piracy.

He suggested that stakeholders hold a meeting dedicated to deliberating on possible ways to put an end to book piracy for the sake of protecting book publishing businesses in the country.

"I think this is very important to cut the cycle of book piracy," Patria emphasized.

He noted that book piracy had been facilitated by digital technology while pushing for the need to carry out firm and comprehensive law enforcement and edify people on the do's and don'ts on the digital space.

"Why? Because we now have a higher level of connectivity that enables people to access a wider range of knowledge resources. The problem is that such a convenience has also allowed people to take other (illegal) measures for selling (books)," he stated.

As a literacy activist, Patria observed that book publishers in Indonesia had been facing plenty of challenges, including the relatively low profits generated from book publishing activities.

"Book publishers bear the idealism of educating the nation by spreading knowledge and its sources. On the other hand, they also need to develop their businesses," he remarked.

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