"I want every data related matter to be now handled by the Statistical Agency," President Jokowi said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked for setting up Indonesias centralized data center under the states Central Statistical Agency (BPS) to collect all necessary data and information to formulate a uniform policy.

"I want every data related matter to be now handled by the Statistical Agency," President Jokowi said while declaration the Economic Census 2016 (SE2016) at the State Palace here on Tuesday.

President Jokowi explained that one of key factors in the global competition is the ability of any country to have accurate and high quality data and strategic information.

In addition, the president also explained that real, accurate data reflecting the ground situation will allow policy makers to formulate appropriate policies or decisions.

"We would have valid data and information (if there is a centralized system). Ever since I stepped into this office, I always receive different figures when I seek data about poverty in Indonesia from the health ministry, the social ministry or the Central Statistical Agency," the President said.

He, therefore, requested that all data gathering should be done by optimizing the Central Statistical Agencys functions as a data and information center.

"The BPS (Statistical Agency) must also do its job properly," Jokowi stated.

Citing an example, he said the data about rice production received from a number of agencies varied, thus hampering formulation of a rice import policy.

The practice of having such aberrations in data should be ended immediately and there must be a single credible data.

"Just put out the data as clearly as possible, so that we can decide whether we need to import something or not. The data must be clear," the President added.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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