Kulon Progo Becak Driver's Data Updated: Drops from Decile 9 to Decile 3

Head of Statistics Indonesia (BPS) Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti has confirmed that the data of a motorised becak driver in Lendah, Kulon Progo, who was previously recorded in decile 9, has been updated. The becak driver, Timbul (49), has now been reclassified to decile 3.

“It has been updated; he is now in decile 3,” Amalia said after conducting an economic census at the residence of the Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) Ahmad Muzani in Widya Chandra, South Jakarta, on Friday (28/8/2026).

Amalia explained that the update of the becak driver’s economic data was carried out to align it with the facts on the ground. “The data was updated because he had not yet submitted his information through the updating channel. Once updated, it was adjusted accordingly,” she said.

“The key is that updating is essential to ensure the data reflects the latest facts,” she added.

Previously, an anomaly in the decile classification occurred when Timbul, a motorised becak driver from Lendah, Kulon Progo, was shocked to find himself recorded in decile 9. Timbul, who was seeking a fee reduction for his child’s studies at Yogyakarta State University (UNY), was left confused.

Timbul said he only discovered he was in decile 9 after he was unable to obtain a certificate of indigence (SKTM) required to apply for fee reductions and scholarships.

“I wanted to use PIP and apply for a scholarship. I went to the village office to get an SKTM, but after the village head checked, it turned out my decile was 9,” Timbul said when met at his home on Monday (24/8).

Timbul was surprised because he had previously been recorded in deciles 1-2. He said he had still received basic food assistance around the beginning of last year.

“The last time I received PKH social assistance was about four or six months ago. It included basic food items, assistance for the underprivileged, and school children’s support worth around Rp 1.1 million,” Timbul said.