Support Additional Rice Social Assistance, DPR: Don't Let Extortion To The People!

Illustration of rice supply (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian House of Representatives supports the additional rice food assistance program for low-income or poor people by the end of this year. The government is also reminded of the importance of the accuracy of the Beneficiary Family (KPM) data so that the social assistance is right on target.

"The addition of rice social assistance will reduce community difficulties, especially because the prices of some basic commodities are still high," said Member of Commission IV DPR RI, Daniel Johan, Friday, July 28.

The distribution of additional rice assistance with a total of IDR 8 trillion will be given to 21.35 million KPM. Later, each KPM will receive rice assistance distributed for three months, namely October, November and December 2023, as previously from May to July 2023.

Beneficiaries will get 10 kg of rice per distribution. Daniel also reminded the importance of validating KPM data to avoid fraud in the process of distributing social assistance.

"This social assistance is the right of the small people. Do not let the program aimed at maintaining the fulfillment of food needs for low-income people not be on target. The data on beneficiaries must be accurate to avoid potential fraud," he said.

Daniel highlighted the problems that often arise during the distribution of Social Assistance, namely data on unrenewable beneficiaries. Therefore, he encourages the renewal of the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos), so that this rice assistance can be received directly by the people who are intended for the program.

Lack of validation and data that are not updated often cause problems. So data verification is also important so that this social assistance really reaches people in need," said Daniel.

Various issues related to DTKS in the community include from invalid NIK, dual NIK, people who have died or moved are still listed, to the inequality of data between Regency/City Dukcapil and the Dukcapil of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Daniel asked the Government to properly monitor this DTKS issue.

"The hope is that DTKS has been validated so that the program can be right on target. Because, many cases of inaccuracy of targets lead to conflict, so it is necessary to ensure that DTKS is a real update," he said.

The rice social assistance program has actually been running since 2020, during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The distribution of food aid by the end of 2023 is expected to have a positive impact on strengthening people's purchasing power and controlling inflation.

"Of course, this program must also be sustainable in improving the welfare of farmers in Indonesia," said Daniel.

The rice social assistance program run by the National Food Agency will cooperate with Perum Bulog because the assistance comes from the Government Rice Reserve (CBP) managed by Bulog. Daniel reminded Bulog to continue to absorb rice to increase rice stocks.

"And prioritize that rice procurement comes from domestic production so that government programs for the people help our farmers, who have recently also had difficulties in distributing their crops," he appealed.

Daniel reminded that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) had ordered his staff to ensure that the State still had a stock of around 1.2 million tons to be brought (carryed over) to 2024. The goal is to anticipate supply stabilization and food prices.

"As a partner of Commission IV of the DPR, the National Food Agency and Perum Bulog are expected to be able to carry out planning and prepare the target well. One of them is by absorbing rice from our own farmers," said Daniel.

The Commission in the DPR in charge of agricultural and food affairs also asked the Government to distribute good quality rice assistance for the people. Daniel emphasized that the rice assistance provided must be in accordance with standards.

"The provision of rice assistance can anticipate a surge in food prices that usually occur at the end of the year. But make sure that the rice given is of good quality. Don't give bad rice to the people even if this is an aid program," he explained.

Daniel said that the DPR continues to focus on overseeing food aid programs such as this rice social assistance. He reminded that the rice social assistance program should be distributed without causing difficulties to the people.

"Supervision must be carried out carefully. Do not let the people get help but ask for other costs to redeem it. Set the surveillance system in such a way to cover the holes of potential extortion," said Daniel.

Commission IV of the DPR also asked the Government to cooperate with the authorities to avoid various forms of violations. For example, said Daniel, the fictitious distribution mode that is usually carried out during distribution distribution in the field and also the existence of extortion from individuals to beneficiaries.

"The aid program for the small people must be closely monitored in its distribution. We do not want this good program to be misused by irresponsible parties so as to make the people suffer," he said.

Even so, Daniel appreciated the extension of the rice social assistance program for the people. According to him, low-income people should be the focus of the Government in receiving assistance.

"Especially after the Covid-19 Pandemic, many families were initially middle or upper middle class people, but are currently in the category of families who care about it. So the DTKS data update is very relevant," explained Daniel.

Daniel ensured that the DPR would continue to support the pro-people programs carried out by the Government. Both in terms of legislation, budgeting and supervision.

"It's just that the program must be ensured to be carried out fairly, transparently, on target, and with a positive impact on all levels of society, including farmers," he concluded.