Fact check: BPS census data used to raise public taxes
A Facebook post has claimed that a leaked list of questions for the 2026 Economic Census includes a request to photograph the inside of homes and links the census to a government plan to raise taxes. The post suggested the state coffers are empty due to projects such as the free nutritious meal programme (MBG), cooperative villages (Kopdes), and public schools (Sekolah Rakyat).
However, the Head of the West Jakarta Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Muhammad Noval, has confirmed that data collected in the 2026 Economic Census will not be used for taxation purposes. He stated that the data collection is conducted solely to map the economic conditions and potential of the community, including types of businesses, employment sectors, and developing economic structures across regions.
Noval, as reported by ANTARA, also stressed that BPS has no connection with the Directorate General of Taxes in the implementation of the census. He assured that all collected data is used exclusively for statistical purposes and will not serve as a basis for determining public taxes.
Furthermore, BPS guarantees the confidentiality of respondent data in accordance with Law Number 16 of 1997 on Statistics. To ensure data security, BPS collaborates with the National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN). The digital data collection system is designed so that information is directly stored on BPS servers, preventing access or storage on the devices of census officers.
The Primary Inspector of BPS RI, Dadang Hardiwan, also confirmed that the results of the 2026 Economic Census will only be presented in the form of aggregate statistical data, ensuring that the identities and personal data of the public remain protected. He urged the public to verify that visiting officers are official BPS personnel equipped with a letter of assignment and official attributes before providing any information.
Thus, the claim that the 2026 Economic Census data will be used to raise public taxes is unfounded. The data collected by BPS is used exclusively for statistical purposes and its confidentiality is guaranteed under prevailing regulations.