Acting Minister Of Social Affairs Muhadjir Effendy Worries That Social Assistance Money Is Used By People To Buy Cigarettes

JAKARTA - Acting (Plt) Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) RI Muhadjir Effendy said the government would distribute social assistance (bansos) to communities affected by COVID-19 in the Greater Jakarta area in the form of cash social assistance (BST) in 2021.

"The Jabodetabek Bansos scheme we are using is BST, but technically it still has to coordinate with the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government," he said at the Jakarta Social Ministry Building, quoted from Antara, Monday, December 14.

For social assistance outside Jabodetabek, he said, regular social assistance and the social safety net for COVID-19 are still being carried out as usual. For basic food cards or non-cash food assistance (BPNT), the number reaches 18.8 million Beneficiary Families (KPM).

Furthermore, for the family hope program (PKH), which is 10 million KPM, while the BST specifically for handling COVID-19, the Ministry of Social Affairs will distribute 10 million KPM.

Not only that, the government will also increase assistance sourced from village funds or Village BLT of around 7.8 million KPM.

"So that is what is still being distributed. Then for the unit how much is the amount per month and KPM for the time being Rp. 200 thousand, but it is likely to be increased to Rp. 300 thousand," said the Coordinating Minister for PMK.

Regarding the distribution of BST, the former Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia said that not all potential beneficiaries had accounts. Therefore, the Ministry of Social Affairs opens the option to deliver directly to recipients through PT Pos Indonesia services.

In addition, the Ministry of Social Affairs will also ensure that the aid is really on target. This means that the money given is only used for important purposes.

Because, he admits that one of the weaknesses of BST is that the government cannot control the use of aid once it is given. It is feared that the money will be used to buy cigarettes and so on.

"Based on the survey, the money was used to buy basic necessities and number three to buy cigarettes," he said.

The Ministry of Social Affairs, he said, is still thinking about the right way or steps so that social assistance can be used to fulfill basic needs.