Social Assistance Will Be Disbursed Soon This Week, KPK Reminds Government To Be Transparent

JAKARTA - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) reminded the government to be transparent in the process of distributing social assistance (bansos).

This warning was delivered ahead of the disbursement of social assistance in connection with the Implementation of Emergency Community Activity Restrictions (PPKM) in Java-Bali.

"KPK hopes that the government's policy to redistribute COVID-19 social assistance will continue to prioritize the principles of transparency and accountability in its implementation so that it can be right on target and avoid potential irregularities," Acting KPK Spokesperson for Prevention Ipi Maryati told reporters on Monday, July 5.

He said that the cash assistance distribution mechanism currently chosen by the government does have a lower risk than in-kind social assistance.

"However, that does not mean (gift, ed) without obstacles," said Ipi.

At least, there are a number of findings by the KPK in the process of distributing social assistance, namely the accuracy of recipient data which includes the quality of recipient data, data transparency, and data updating.

The KPK said that currently there have been a number of corrective steps that have been followed up by the Ministry of Social Affairs based on the recommendations. So, this improvement should make the data quality better in the future.

"Updating the data also involves the role of local governments and other relevant stakeholders so that intensive coordination with stakeholders needs to continue to be built," said Ipi.

That way, the social assistance that will be given to the community is expected to actually reach those in need.

"Hopefully, the social assistance can really be felt by the people who have the right and need, and are accountable from the aspect of management," he said.

Previously reported, Minister of Finance (Menkeu) Sri Mulyani admitted that she received a special message from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to accelerate the distribution of social assistance or social assistance to the community in connection with the establishment of the Emergency Community Activity Restriction (PPKM) on July 3-20.

"Earlier, the President gave instructions to accelerate payments this week, especially for the PKH (Hope Family Program) and basic food cards," he said at an online press conference, Monday, July 5.

For information, this year's PKH social assistance is budgeted at IDR 28.31 trillion, targeting 10 million Beneficiary Families (KPM). Meanwhile, the realization until the close of the first semester of 2021 is IDR 13.96 trillion.

Meanwhile, for basic food cards, the acceleration of distribution this month is intended to meet the target of 18.8 million KPM.

The allocation of basic food card funds for the 2021 period amounted to Rp. 40.19 trillion, with the realization until the first half of Rp. 17.75 trillion to 15.9 million KPM.

The distribution of the Emergency PPKM cash social assistance will target 10 million recipients in 34 provinces based on the previous period's social assistance data. The aid index is IDR 300 thousand per month which is given in July and August.