SOME people see them as economists-for-rent, charged with trying to influence the Central Board of Statistics (BPS). But economist Mohammad Ikhsan, special staff to the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, denies the attempt towards such intervention.

Is it true there was a meeting between BPS and the economic ministers?

That is true. When Ibu Sri Mulyani was at Bappenas (National Development Planning Board), there was talk about reviewing and