Soeharto has no business activities

Soeharto has no business activities

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto and First Lady Mrs. Tien were among the first to be interviewed as the Central Bureau of Statistics launched its massive economic census yesterday.

"I have no business activities. Just the two of us are living here," Soeharto responded to questions put by a census official Umi Mandayati at his Jl. Cendana residence, Antara reported.

Soeharto said he had servants working in the house, adding that these often returned to their respective homes.

All the six children of the first family, a number of whom have become successful entrepreneurs, have moved out of their parents' home.

The census official was accompanied by the Central Bureau of Statistics chief Soegito during his call on the Jl. Cendana residence.

Soegito earlier explained that the 1996 Economic Census is intended to compile data about business activities, from the smallest ones -- normally run in households -- to the larger ones.

The census is being conducted door-to-door to ascertain the existence of small businesses, he said. "I urge everyone to give honest replies to the questions because this data is for vital for their own benefit," Soegito was quoted as saying.

The census began yesterday and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31. Soegito said Vice President Try Sutrisno will also be visited by census officials.

President Soeharto officially inaugurated the census on Thursday night by appealing to everyone, in a televised speech, to support the project.

"It is very important to have statistics about our economic strength in preparing ourselves for an open global economy and free trade," he said.

The results of the census would be used to evaluate the level of production efficiency of enterprises and their export roles and to map out the level of raw materials needed, Soeharto said.

The 1996 economic census is the second economic survey to be conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics to date. The first economic census was held in 1986.

Soegito, said earlier this week that his office would need at least Rp 200 billion (US$87.1 million) in state funds to finance the nationwide census. (emb)