We must admit that this country still needs much improvement with regards to data. Not only is it a fact that data often goes missing, data at different agencies also overlaps.
The important and strategic collection of population data is still in question. As reported in this daily newspaper, data recording for the residents’ electronic ID cards in five of the 34 provinces in the country, is still below the national average. Data collection in those regions is a priority of the government (Kompas, 27/12/2018).
According to the Home Ministry’s directorate general of population and civil registration, the average of national electronic ID data recording is 97.5 percent. Five provinces that are still below the national average are Papua (41.24 percent), West Papua (64.65 percent), West Sulawesi (78.06 percent), Maluku (80.52 percent) and North Maluku (80.73 percent). The lack of population data recording is due to various reasons, such as damage to data recording devices, challenging geographical conditions and the lack of public awareness.
In terms of percentage, the five provinces with an average population data recording below the national average are indeed small, less than 14.7 percent. We also still understand that geographical conditions are a main reason for the slow recording of e-ID data. However, the problem of damaged equipment should have been anticipated and resolved immediately.
Moreover, our nation is approaching a political year of simultaneous elections. The issue regarding population data can be a complicated problem and may lead to legal problems. Many disputes regarding contestation, both elections and regional head elections, originated from population data issues. The potential of 2019 election disputes, whether the presidential or legislative elections, must be anticipated and avoided as much as possible so that they do not erode the legitimacy of the results.
If there are still people who are not aware of the importance of population data recording, if it is still possible, they will be approached and persuaded so that their data can be immediately recorded. If they remain stubborn, they can be reminded of Article 39 of Law No. 16/1997 on statistics, which emphasizes anyone who intentionally and without valid reason prevents, obstructs or fails the statistical process in the form of basic or sectoral statistical activities by officials can be sent to jail for a maximum of five years and subject to a maximum fine of Rp 100 million (US$6,876). Electronic ID data recording can be interpreted as a statistical activity because it will produce data.
In a coordination meeting of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) last November in Yogyakarta, it was revealed there is a mismatch of population data held by the BPS, election organizers and Home Ministry affecting around 300,000 people. That is not a small number. The BPS will also hold the 2020 population census.
Data obtained through correct measurements is important for planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating various aspects of life, especially in the era of data and digital competitions like today. Microsoft founder Bill Gates reminded the importance of data to improve humanity.
