Gus Ipul Leads Oath of Thousands of Economic Census Officers in South Sumatra

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) led the oath-taking of thousands of Economic Census 2026 officers at the Semarak Wong Kito 2026 event at Benteng Kuto Besak, Palembang, South Sumatra, on Sunday (28/6/2026). Before 7,588 census officers from 17 districts and cities across South Sumatra, Gus Ipul asserted that accurate data is the primary foundation for ensuring government policies truly address the needs of the community. The event, organised by the South Sumatra Provincial Central Statistics Agency (BPS), was part of the socialisation for the 2026 Economic Census and aimed to strengthen public participation in supporting national economic data collection. In his speech, Gus Ipul stated that the implementation of the 2026 Economic Census aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s policy direction, which places data as the basis for formulating development programmes. ‘This is an important moment, an opportunity for all of us to follow up on President Prabowo’s directive to present accurate data, data that matches the reality on the ground,’ said Gus Ipul in a written statement on Sunday. He explained that the government is currently consolidating national data through the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN) system, ensuring all ministries, agencies, and regional governments have a unified data reference for policy-making. ‘We have not fully realised that our data has been inaccurate. Our data is managed by numerous institutions, but in accordance with Presidential Instruction Number 4 of 2025, in President Prabowo’s era, we are consolidating data nationally, where data scattered across various ministries, agencies, and regional governments is unified and professionally processed by BPS,’ he said. Gus Ipul noted that accurate data would enable government programmes to be implemented more precisely. He invited the people of South Sumatra to welcome the census officers warmly to ensure the data collection process runs smoothly. ‘For that reason, I once again urge the entire community, especially in South Sumatra, to welcome these officers wholeheartedly because they aim to record everything necessary so that it can later be presented as accurate data,’ he said. Addressing the thousands of census officers, Gus Ipul also advised them not only to pursue data collection targets but to prioritise professionalism and empathy when interacting with the public. ‘I hope the officers work professionally, not just chasing targets, but work with heart and empathy, because the community also needs detailed explanations. For that, use your heart and full empathy,’ Gus Ipul advised. The message was followed by him leading the joint oath of all the census officers gathered at Benteng Kuto Besak. ‘I, as a census officer, am ready to work with heart, full empathy, and using procedures established by BPS. We are ready to present accurate data, in accordance with the reality on the ground, for precisely targeted development.’ Meanwhile, Head of BPS Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti stated that the success of the Economic Census heavily depends on the quality of the officers’ work in the field. Amalia reminded the officers of two main messages. ‘First, do not miss anything. Second, the data must be accurate. I believe behind accurate data there are great census fighters. Behind patent data there are certainly officers who work brilliantly,’ said Amalia. South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru also conveyed that the census results would serve as an important foundation for the government in formulating development policies. ‘If we make policies based on data, God willing, they will be on target and effective. We cannot build based only on feeling,’ said Herman Deru. The Semarak Wong Kito 2026 event series also included a flash mob with thousands of census officers, a video screening of the spirit of the 2026 Economic Census officers, and the cutting of pempek to symbolise the start of the Semarak Wong Kito 2026 movement. The event was attended by Head of BPS Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, South Sumatra Governor Herman Deru, Palembang Mayor Ratu Dewa, Head of BPS South Sumatra Province Moh. Wahyu Yulianto, and the South Sumatra Provincial Forkopimda officials. At the end of the activity, Gus Ipul and the attending officials boarded a boat to cruise along the Musi River while enjoying pempek, the signature dish of the Sriwijaya region.