BPS defends statistics bill to regulate surveys<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Chairman of the National Statistics Agency
\n(BPS), Sugito, yesterday defended the government-sponsored draft
\nlaw on statistics and said it would not restrict surveying
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
The proposed law would require private institutions and
\nindividuals to report if they intend to conduct a survey, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"They will only be required to report, not to seek an approval
\nfrom BPS as many people have feared,\" he was quoted by Antara as
\nsaying, responding to growing controversy about Article 15 of the
\ndraft law.<\/p>\n
Although the draft law has not yet been submitted to the House
\nof Representatives, it has drawn sharp criticism from the public,
\nespecially from private companies and individuals that would have
\nto report any plans to gather statistical data to BPS.<\/p>\n
Critics said the government-sponsored bill is meant to curb
\nunauthorized polling and surveying about the results of next
\nMay's general elections.<\/p>\n
The fear is understandable because the government recently
\nasked the House to see that the law was in place at least one
\nmonth before the election.<\/p>\n
Under the proposed law, government agencies will also be
\nrequired to inform BPS if they want to carry out surveys.<\/p>\n
However, private or government institutions making surveys for
\ninternal purposes, or for educational and scientific development,
\nwill not be required to report.<\/p>\n
\"Government agencies are also required to report. This is
\nimportant to avoid overlapping,\" Sugito said.<\/p>\n
He said the requirement to report surveying plans did not mean
\nthe government would restrict surveying activities.<\/p>\n
However, Sugito acknowledged that surveyors would not be asked
\nto report only survey plans but also to disclose the purpose of
\nthe study and their data gathering methods.<\/p>\n
He said individuals and private institutions that did not
\nreport their survey activities would face a maximum fine of Rp 25
\nmillion (US$10,600) or one year jail.<\/p>\n
The current statistics law, which was enacted in 1960, is no
\nlonger adequate to meet the rapid changes in statistical
\nactivities, he said. (hen)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bps-defends-statistics-bill-to-regulate-surveys-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}