DIY government questions BPS on drastic desil classification changes

The Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) government is seeking an explanation from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) regarding recent changes in socioeconomic desil classifications. These changes have reportedly led to drastic shifts for many residents, raising concerns about the accuracy and fairness of the data.

Ni Made Dwipanti Indrayanti, the Regional Secretary of DIY, expressed her concerns, stating, "I have protested to Mrs. Endang (Acting Head of BPS DIY) about how desils can change when residents' economic conditions remain the same. What is the basis for this in the census?"

The desil classification system, which divides the population into ten groups from 1 to 10, is crucial for determining eligibility for poverty alleviation and social assistance programs. Desils 1 through 5 are typically targeted for intervention, while desils 6 through 10 are considered relatively self-sufficient.

The DIY government's concern is not just about the numerical change but the underlying criteria used by BPS. "It's not us who determine it. It's about the criteria. How far have they reached? So, how they classify it is what we must also ask BPS," Ni Made added. The potential impact on residents' access to government aid programs makes this clarification a priority.