Klungkung Residents Fear Tax Implications During 2026 Economic Census
Officials from the 2026 Economic Census of the Klungkung Regency Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) have found that residents remain worried about tax matters during the data collection process. This has become a notable observation for BPS Klungkung during their re-surveying efforts in the field.
“The community is hesitant because they fear taxes. Various news reports have shaped their opinions, leading to anxiety regarding the arrival of officers. However, over time, this anxiety has decreased as more people are surveyed, proving that this census is safe,” said the Head of BPS Klungkung, Anak Agung Gede Dirga Kardita, during an interview on Wednesday (2/9/2026).
According to him, insufficient socialisation was also a factor that made the public susceptible to information on social media. As a result, officers initially faced difficulties entering several areas to conduct data collection.
“The obstacle in the field was perhaps insufficient socialisation, causing the community to be easily provoked by social media information. In the beginning, the challenge was very significant. Our officers found it difficult to enter because respondent trust was still wavering,” he added.
However, as time progressed and more residents were surveyed, these concerns gradually subsided. Another challenge faced by BPS Kloungkung is the presence of head offices for several tourism entrepreneurs—such as those in Nusa Penida and Lembongan—who are domiciled outside the region, such as in Denpasar or Jakarta.
This situation requires a relatively long process of communication and coordination. Additionally, the high intensity of traditional and religious activities in Bali during the data collection period also affected field operations.
“July and August are months with many holidays, so the community’s busy schedule acted as a hindrance. Our officers feel hesitant or uncomfortable visiting homes during religious holidays or cremation ceremonies (Ngaben). On the other hand, residents are also busy,” he noted.
The data verification process (on desk), which is running simultaneously with field re-surveys, aims to ensure the validity of the enumeration figures.
“For example, there might be a coffee trader whose turnover is recorded as very large because an officer incorrectly entered an extra zero. What should have been Rp 100,000 was entered as Rp 100 million. That is what we are currently checking through on-desk verification,” he explained.
Dirga Kardita ensured that all economic activities—including hotels, homestays, individual businesses, both licensed and unlicensed—will be comprehensively recorded.
“Whether they have a permit or not, whether they are individuals or entrepreneurs, whether they reside in Klungkung or not, everything will definitely be captured and the data will be available later,” concluded Dirga Kardita.
He also emphasised that the end of the census schedule on 31 August does not mean the data collection process stops immediately without evaluation. He has instructed all officers to re-survey the data collection areas.
“The end of the schedule does not necessarily mean it is final. The concept of a census is that nothing should be missed; everyone must be enumerated. The difference from a survey, which only takes samples, is that a census must cover everything,” he asserted.
This re-surveying is being conducted alongside on-desk data verification by the BPS team at the office to minimise numerical input errors. The agency is currently tidying up all data received from the field.
“We are re-tabulating everything today. Tomorrow or later tonight, we will have the definitive data,” added Dirga Kardita.
The process of finalisation and data re-surveying is expected to continue for the next month before the official recapitulation results are presented.