The Statistics Indonesia (BPS) recently released poverty data for March 2025, which recorded a decrease in poverty to 8.47 percent. This figure is said to be the lowest poverty rate in two decades. However, besides the figure, the delayed release time also drew attention.
Several experts questioned whether the delay was purely technical or if there was potential for politicization, given the sensitivity of poverty data ahead of political moments like regional elections.
An expert from the Department of Social Development and Welfare at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Fisipol UGM), Dr. Nurhadi, believes that the delay can be viewed from two perspectives.
On the one hand, he appreciates the BPS’s move if it indicates a positive commitment to data quality and validity.
According to Dr. Nurhadi, if the reason for the delay is to ensure accuracy and harmonization with global standards, it shows good faith.
“But transparency to the public must be maintained. Even if there is a delay, there must be clear communication. The methodology, validity, and other technical reasons must be open,” Dr. Nurhadi said on Thursday (Jul. 31).
Dr. Nurhadi stated that this delay carries a not insignificant risk. One of these is a data void in the policy planning cycle.
Both central and local governments rely heavily on poverty data to inform the formulation of social protection programs.
“When data is delayed, policy interventions can go awry because they are based on old data,” he explained.
Another, more serious criticism is the potential erosion of public trust in BPS as a national statistical institution.
This is especially true if delays occur repeatedly, particularly in the context of electoral politics.
“In the current era of digital literacy, the public is increasingly sensitive. If not explained well, it could lead to the assumption that the data is being withheld for certain interests,” Dr. Nurhadi added.
Moreover, Dr. Nurhadi also reminded that the independence of BPS must be strictly guarded from political intervention, especially ahead of elections.
According to Dr. Nurhadi, statistical data does not belong to the government but to the public. The government is only mandated to manage and release data using public funds.
Therefore, openness and regularity in releasing data are forms of accountability to citizens.
Regarding the substance of the latest data, Dr. Nurhadi highlighted that although the poverty rate has decreased, the official measure of Indonesia’s poverty line is still too low.
It does not represent the socioeconomic reality of society.
“With a standard of around Rp600,000 per month per person, many groups who are actually poor in reality are not recorded,” he said.
He added that the current data has not yet adopted international standards, such as those from the World Bank. If used, this could double or triple the national poverty rate.
Nevertheless, Dr. Nurhadi admitted that the adoption of global standards must be done gradually.
“If you are not technically and politically ready, don’t force it. But there must be a roadmap towards that goal,” Dr. Nurhadi suggested.
He also emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring for citizens who have just moved out of the poverty line, so they do not fall back into poverty.
He added the need for an economic empowerment-based approach, rather than just assistance.
“Releasing data is not merely an annual technical task, but a public right that allows citizens to evaluate the state’s performance,” Dr. Nurhadi asserted.
In the context of evidence-based policy development, the quality and timeliness of data are vital elements.
He encouraged the government, especially BPS, to strengthen public communication and statistical governance in the future.
Author: Bolivia Rahmawati
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Illustration: Freepik.com