Fajrin Rasyid, co-founder and president of Bukalapak, said the business expansion was [a way to make use of] the platform’s experience in managing large payment transactions.

“We will begin the cooperation with the annual payment of vehicle taxes next year,” Fajrin said after launching Bukalapak’s research and development building in Bandung.

He said the platform would not change the current concept of provincial public services, but it would allow users to experience “different types of services”.

He said 500 of 100,000 warung (small shops) in the province had partnered with Bukalapak. “As for those who are not familiar with digital transactions, our partners will help them carry out transactions,” he added.

He said Bukalapak had offered the business project to other regional governments, but to date only the West Java government had taken up the offer.

“The province’s quick response [is probably down to the fact that] the governor has a great background in technology,” he added

West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil appreciated the initiative of Indonesia’s startup unicorn, expressing the hope that Bukalapak would expand its business in public services.

“It’s no longer a cool thing that people still have to come and queue up at offices,” Ridwan said, adding that Bukalapak needed to participate in tenders for government procurement projects.

Bukalapak’s bigger rival, Tokopedia, allows its users to purchase electricity tokens in its online marketplace as one of its digital products. (das/bbn)

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