Sentani, Jubi – Residents in some villages in Jayapura Regency reject census officers from Statistics Indonesia (BPS – Badan Pusat Statistik) because they thought the population census had a political or particular interest.
“Some residents in the suburban area (of Sentani) refused to be registered by census officers. They got misinformation about the census by linking it with political or particular interests,” said the Head of BPS Jayapura Regency Jeffry de Fretes on Thursday (10/9/2020).
The 2020 Population Census was held for a month, from 1 September. Regarding the rejection, de Fretes regretted these people’s mindsets.
“The Population Census held to support development. They should not be upset if someday they were not included in a development program because they are not recorded,” he explained.
However, BPS has coordinated with the security forces and local government to recollect the data of those unregistered people. Further, they expect that people can fully participate in this census.
“We hope that no more residents reject our officers. For those who have not registered yet, they still can report to the local government to follow up,” said Jeffry.
In the meantime, the Head of BPS Papua Adriana Helena Carolina firmly said that the population census has nothing to do with the Special Autonomy Phase II or regional elections. This census is a mandate of laws and recommendation of the United Nation.
“The Population Census is not for the continuation of Special Autonomy in Papua or the regional elections. It is for development planning. The government needs a set of integrated national population data,” said Adriana. (*)
Reporter: Engelbert Wally
Editor: Pipit Maizier
