Most Indonesians prefer watching TV to reading

JAKARTA (JP): Around two-thirds of all Indonesians over ten- years-old have been exposed to television and radio, but only a fourth of them read newspapers, a survey concludes.

Head of the Central Bureau of Statistics Soegito reported to President Soeharto yesterday the results of the 1994 survey on social and economic conditions as well as the bureau's plan to conduct a national survey on economic development in October.

According to last year's statistics, the population aged over 10 stands at 143.7 million.

The national survey of social and economic development (Susenas) also found that 60 percent of all people in rural areas obtain their information from radio, while 59 percent watch television. Only 12 percent of the same population, however, read newspapers or magazines, the survey said.

"Only 64.26 percent of the total population say it's easy for them to get reading materials either in the form of magazines or newspapers," Soegito said.

A breakdown of the numbers, however, revealed a different picture. "Some 15 percent of all urban dwellers complain that it's more difficult to find reading materials nowadays," Soegito added.

Soegito said that the condition was worse in rural areas, as 46 percent of people said they experienced difficulties in finding reading materials.

The survey also revealed that 37 percent of all households in urban areas and a mere six percent of families in rural areas have access to clean water or are served by the state-owned water company PAM.

A total of 29 percent of households in rural areas have latrines, an increase of two percent since a similar survey conducted in 1992. In urban areas, however, the number of families with sanitation facilities has increased to 60 percent from 56 percent in 1992.

The 1994 study also found that a whopping 92 percent of the people surveyed said that they felt safe from crime, Soegito revealed.

Soegito said the survey also tried to gauge the public's perception of their welfare, and found that many people believe they have things much easier today.

A number of indicators were used, including the respondents' own experience in enrolling their children in school.

"Nearly 97 percent of the total population think that, when it comes to sending children to school, the situation is as good, better or far better than it was several years ago," Soegito said.

"That means that only three percent of the population say the situation is bad...they're probably the people who live in remote areas who don't have school buildings yet," he said.

Some 81 percent said they found a general improvement in housing facilities, while 91 percent of the population said it's now much easier for them to get health and medical services.

A total of 95 percent found that it's easy for them to obtain assistance if they wish to join family planning programs, Soegito said.

He also said that the bureau will publish a two-volume book entitled Statistik Dalam 50 Tahun Indonesia Merdeka (Statistics in the 50 years of Indonesia's Independence) to greet the country's golden anniversary in August.

The first volume will consist of the development of statistics in Indonesia during the past fifty years, while the second will be dedicated to the economic and social progress achieved during the same period. (swe)