Elaboration of Articles on the Statistics Consultation Forum

The authority of the National Data and Statistics Agency (Badan Data dan Statistik Nasional - “BDSN”) to access data for statistical purposes has become a particular concern for a number of business actors in the Draft Bill (“Statistics Draft Bill”) on the Amendment to Law No. 16 of 1997 on Statistics (“Law 16/1997”). Member of the Legislative Body of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (Baleg DPR RI) Martin Manurung is advocating for a check-and-balance mechanism through a forum that is planned to be established within the Draft Bill.

According to Martin, a consultation forum involving cross-sectoral policymakers, private-sector business actors, and State-Owned Enterprises (Badan Usaha Milik Negara/BUMN) is necessary as a clearing house to establish boundaries on data requirements to protect a company’s business intelligence.

“Companies participating in the national data cooperation initiative can have a clearing house forum, allowing them to establish boundaries,” said Martin.

According to the Statistics Draft Bill document obtained by Hukumonline, provisions on the statistical consultation forum are outlined in Article 74(3), stipulating that such activities must be conducted at least once a year.

“The involvement and provision of input for the organization of Statistical activities as referred to in paragraph (2) letter e, letter f, and letter g are accommodated in a statistical consultation forum involving stakeholders at least once a year,” states Article 74 Paragraph (3).