Home Affairs Minister Urges Papua to 'Ride' BPS Census for Accelerated Development
Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian has stressed the importance of data-based and performance-measured regional development in accelerating progress in Tanah Papua. He therefore urged all regional governments in Papua to utilise the economic census being conducted by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) as a basis for formulating development policies. “I know the challenges in Papua are not easy. That is why we are taking the momentum of gathering here to encourage and support BPS in conducting the census,” said Minister Tito during his speech at the 2026 Regional Government Achievement Appreciation event for the Papua Region at Suni Hotel Abepura, Jayapura City, on Monday, 22 June 2026.
According to him, by leveraging BPS, data regarding the economy will be obtained. For example, the classification of communities at the lowest welfare levels, namely Desil 1 (very poor) and Desil 2 (poor). “These data are all updated by BPS,” Tito said. Additionally, data on regional potential and the regional economy will be available. “This will be very useful for making policies for regents, mayors, and governors. If you only do this through the APBD, it is difficult,” said the Home Affairs Minister, citing the need for significant costs and expert statisticians, as well as considerable time.
“If I may phrase it, we are not just supporting the BPS census. Let us ‘ride’ the BPS census to obtain its data, for free,” Minister Tito stated. He emphasised that good policies must be formulated based on accurate data and a strong theoretical foundation. Without adequate data, policies risk missing their targets.
Head of BPS RI, Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, said that BPS has been tasked with conducting a complete enumeration called the 2026 Economic Census. The door-to-door data collection began on 15 June and will run until 31 August 2026. Amalia expressed appreciation for Minister Tito Karnavian, whom she said was very responsive and fully supportive of the census. “I appreciate that the Minister was willing to sign a joint circular distributed to all regional governments in Indonesia to support the 2026 Economic Census,” she said.
According to Amalia, the Minister’s special message to all regional heads was that the Economic Census provides a golden opportunity to obtain accurate data without having to use the Regional Budget (APBD). Thus, the benefits for regional heads are immense, and it is free of charge. A total of 5,355 census officers have been deployed across Tanah Papua. “They are ready to record the economy in Tanah Papua,” she said.
The Regional Government Achievement Appreciation event also served to launch the 2026 Economic Census in Tanah Papua. The launch was marked by the beating of a tifa drum by Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian, Head of BPS RI Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, Member of the House of Representatives Komarudin Watubun, and all governors across Tanah Papua.
Papua Governor Matius D. Fakhiri stated that the future of Papua is built through collective work by the government, business sector, academics, traditional and religious leaders, and all elements of society who share the determination to create a better life for future generations. Therefore, development in Papua must bring hope, open opportunities, strengthen brotherhood, and improve the quality of life for the people, even in the most remote villages. “Because of that, the Papua Provincial Government continues to promote inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development, in line with the regional development vision, which is to realise a healthy, prosperous, and harmonious transformation of Papua,” said Matius. This vision, he continued, will be realised through strengthening responsive governance, improving the quality of Papua’s human resources, strengthening the economy based on local potential, accelerating development in disadvantaged areas, and maintaining social stability and peace as the foundation for regional progress. And the best change is one that brings benefits to the community. “Let us make Papua a great home that is peaceful, harmonious, and full of hope for all.”