Ministry of Home Affairs Issues Circular on Postponement of Social Assistance Ahead of 2024 Regional Elections

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) has issued a Circular (SE) to regional governments (pemda) regulating the postponement of the distribution of social assistance (bansos) from the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) ahead of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Elections.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Wamendagri) Bima Arya Sugiarto emphasized that the regulation excludes areas experiencing disasters, such as the Province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).

"So, it needs to be understood that this social assistance is postponed, especially those sourced from the APBD," said Bima as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, November 14.

According to him, the temporary suspension of social assistance arose due to many reports in which election contestants were worried and suspicious of abuse of power.

"Some are related to the incumbent, some are related to those who today also have the authority to distribute it. This means that this is not aimed at 1 or 2 groups, but this can happen anywhere by anyone," he said.

However, he said that if there is a ministry program whose distribution stage requires urgency, it can run even though it must be reported.

"Social assistance sourced from APBD funds is postponed until the voting time," explained Bima.

He also gave an example if there is a fiscal incentive fund which is a program of the Ministry of Finance in reducing stunting, it can still be carried out because there is already a schedule.

The temporary suspension of social assistance distribution was carried out throughout Indonesia, except in disaster areas, such as areas hit by the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki in East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).