New installed population chief sets database target

New installed population chief sets database target

JAKARTA (JP): Newly installed chief of the recently formed
National Population Agency, Rozy Munir, said on Monday he wanted
to set up a comprehensive system and database of the country's
population that could also ease administrative procedures when
applying for various licenses and identification cards.

"My target is to have an exhaustive population database that
can later facilitate us in creating personal identification
cards, driver's licenses and passports," Rozy said.

The former state minister for the development of state-owned
enterprises and investments was installed on Monday as head of
the new agency.

"But this is a long-term project, for now this new board will
first function as a body to formulate policies in population
development," Rozy said, deflating any lofty perceptions of his
office.

Based on Presidential Decree No. 43/2001, the agency is
directly responsible to the President but its daily work is
coordinated with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Regional
Autonomy.

The decree also stipulates that among the agency's tasks are
to formulate and determine policies regarding population, study
the dynamics of population growth and develop an information
system and administration on population.

The agency's operations would be financed from funds allocated
from the ministry's budget.

The agency will work from the space of the former ministry of
transmigration office in Kalibata, South Jakarta.

Initially the agency will function as a steering body for
local public records offices' across the country.

Rozy was installed on Monday by Minister of Home Affairs and
Regional Autonomy Surjadi Soedirdja.

Surjadi also installed Prapto Hadi as the agency's first
secretary, Rohadi Haryanto as deputy of population planning,
Harto Nurdin as deputy of population dynamics and Dahlan
Kadarisman as deputy for population information and
administration.

In his address, Surjadi said that though the country is being
hit by political turmoil the government remains obliged to serve
non-political fields, including creating better public services.

"The establishment of this body is part of our hope to create
a better administration to serve the public's needs," he said.

Also attending the ceremony was Minister of Manpower and
Transmigration Al-Hilal Hamdi. (emf)