Statistics

From Republika

With reference to the article published in Republika (July 17, 1995) under the heading Hasil survei ekonomi nasional diragukan (The outcome of the national economic survey is doubtful), we would like to make the following comments.

* We are grateful to this daily for publishing the Report of the Head of the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) to the President concerning the outcome of the national 1994 survey.

* To provide the readers with a more detailed picture about the result of the survey of the national social economy, (not national economy), we are obliged to add the following data.

a. The survey involved 65,000 households (respondents) exactly as reported by Republika. According to BPS and also qualified researchers, the sample taken was representative, and the methods used were following statistical sampling norms.

b. The survey respondents were not only from village chiefs and their households. Rather, BPS was carrying out a random sampling, disregarding status, position, or social status.

c. The respondents were given introductory questions asking their opinions about 21 aspects of welfare, before our field staffs asked about the household's welfare in general.

d. The field staff of the 1994 social economic survey are from two categories: 1) Mitra Statistik (statistical partners) consisting of people from society and senior high school students, especially recruited for carrying out the survey after they had undergone a special training. Some were teenagers, housewives, teachers, trainers, etc; 2) Statistic Officials, i.e. employees of Central Bureau of Statistics, from regencies and districts acted as supervisors.

BANGUN

Head of General Bureau

Central Bureau of Statistics

Jakarta