Risma Appreciates Aceh Regency Government Strikes Out Inappropriate Social Assistance Recipients

JAKARTA - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini appreciated the Aceh government, especially the Aceh Social Service staff who dared to write off beneficiaries whose status was not feasible, so that the person would no longer receive social assistance.

“Initially I was afraid and worried, because many in other areas did not dare to cross out the social assistance recipients who were no longer eligible to receive it. But here I am grateful that they are brave,” said Risma as quoted by Antara, Thursday, September 2.

According to Risma, the courage of the Aceh Social Service really helped improve the accuracy of targets in the distribution of social assistance. Targeted social assistance is an important concern for Risma in each of her visits to the regions.

Risma said that the inaccurate target had various implications, such as disturbing the sense of justice and disrupting public order. Such was the case in one village in Bolaang Mongondow Regency where community members protested to the village office because the village head received social assistance.

Risma again emphasized that local governments are given the authority by law (UU) to include or exclude someone from the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS). UU no. 13 of 2011 concerning the Handling of the Poor, regulates the authority of the role of local governments in the process of updating data.

"The authority to enter or remove a person's name from DTKS is the authority of the regional government. I ask the social service and relevant regional government officials to seriously monitor the updating of data, if they are not feasible, they must dare to remove them from the recipient data," he said.

During a visit to Aceh, Thursday, Risma checked the process of distributing social assistance. Based on a report from the social service, the geographical condition of Aceh, which has many rivers and part of it is ocean, has become a challenge in distributing social assistance.

Facing natural challenges, the Minister of Social Affairs also provided a solution by instructing the Ministry of Social Affairs together with Bank Syariah Indonesia (BSI) to pick up the ball so that the recipients of the social assistance had no trouble withdrawing their money.

"We can imagine that if a PM from Aceh Island has to travel a long way to the BSI ATM facility, the solution is when BSI gives the card while withdrawing money and the PM doesn't have to go anywhere, let alone go far to the city," he said.

Based on the information that developed at the meeting, the distribution of social assistance faced several challenges including lost passbooks, cards that had not been distributed and also blocked accounts. The Minister of Social Affairs emphasized that this matter could be resolved as soon as possible.

“Today it is clear and I ask for the data that is still blocked today to be opened. For KPM PKH who have graduated, the local government should propose a replacement," said the Minister of Social Affairs.

During the visit, the Minister of Social Affairs greeted and motivated the orphans, so that they always learn, never give up, and remain enthusiastic to achieve their goals in the future. The Minister of Social Affairs also handed over attention assistance and stimulant assistance for social entrepreneurship.

Assistance to orphans and vulnerable groups was provided through the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation. Attention assistance was provided for 32 orphans, orphans, orphans whose parents were left behind due to COVID-19 amounting to Rp7,100,000, as many as 34 children who needed special protection worth Rp36,000,000, people with disabilities for 98 recipients worth IDR 83,440,000, and 14 former homeless people and beggars worth IDR 17,870,000.

From Balai Melati Jakarta, social assistance for people with hearing and speech disabilities was handed over, which was used as a barista coffee shop entrepreneur for 15 children, amounting to Rp. .