Statistics agency to make its data more accessible<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) yesterday
\npromised to make its wealth of data and information more
\naccessible to the public.<\/p>\n
Newly-installed chairman Sugito Suwito told reporters
\nyesterday after his induction that the agency would soon launch
\nthe "Central Statistics Information" scheme which employs
\nsophisticated technology.<\/p>\n
"The information center will start this year," he said.<\/p>\n
People who need any kind of statistical information could make
\nuse of the personal computers provided by the Rp 300-million
\ncenter, he said. In the past, people had to visit different
\nsections for different information.<\/p>\n
The use of satellite facilities, he said, would enable users
\noutside the country to get the information they needed from the
\nagency.<\/p>\n
Sugito said the agency had taken note of the criticism by the
\nWorld Bank over the way it presents its information. The bank
\nsaid the agency was not "user friendly", because of the
\ncomplications in obtaining information.<\/p>\n
Sugito, 56, was installed by Minister\/State Secretary
\nMoerdiono at the agency's Central Jakarta headquarters.<\/p>\n
He replaced Azwar Rasjid who is now entering retirement.<\/p>\n
Sugito, a former agency's deputy chairman, is a graduate of
\nthe Academy of Statistics Science (AIS) and the University of the
\nPhilippines.<\/p>\n
Sugito said the agency plans to encourage people from all
\nkinds of professions to make use of its data. "Entrepreneurs can
\nmake use of our service," he said.<\/p>\n
He acknowledged that many of the agency's customers are mostly
\nministers and government institutions.<\/p>\n
"BPS should not record the data for its own use, but instead
\nfor the public," he said, adding that the agency would always
\nimprove the accuracy of the data it provides.<\/p>\n
"The credibility of BPS chairman guarantees the validity of
\nthe data," he said.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono said in his speech that the agency, which is
\nentrusted to organize the planning material and the evaluation of
\ndevelopment results, should be free from outside intervention.<\/p>\n
"The data provided by BPS should be the way it is," he said.<\/p>\n
Possibility<\/p>\n
He explained that it was not impossible that wrong information
\ncould lead policy makers to issue wrong political decisions.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono said President Soeharto has always shown his deep
\ninterests in the statistics provided by the agency, like
\ninformation on the price of rice.<\/p>\n
Regarding the recent finding by the statistics agency that
\nfarmers' incomes have fallen with adverse terms of trade in
\nrecent years, the minister said the government is very concerned
\nabout the farmers' condition and will strive to support their
\nincome.<\/p>\n
He said that the terms of trade for the goods sold and bought
\nby farmers depended on the inflation of the products prices.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono said it is the government's intention to keep the
\ninflation rate as low as possible because a low inflation helps
\nstabilize the economy.<\/p>\n
One of the main tasks of the statistical agency is to compile
\nthe consumer price index in 17 major cities on a monthly basis.
\nThe index is used to calculate the monthly inflation rate.<\/p>\n
The agency also runs a series of regular surveys, including
\nthe population survey every 10 years, and also special surveys.<\/p>\n
The findings are sold in its own publications. (par)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/statistics-agency-to-make-its-data-more-accessible-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }