Residents Of Micro Business Assistance Recipients In Banyuwangi Claimed To Be Asked For Charges Of Hundreds Of Thousands

BANYUWANGI - Residents receiving Micro Business Productive Assistance (BPUM) complained that there were parties asking for levies by cutting off aid.

This was conveyed by the chairman of the Banyuwangi Village Consultative Body Association (BPD), Rudi Hartono Latif. He said the discount varies from Rp. 300 thousand to Rp. 500 thousand.

As for BPUM, it is assistance for MSMEs from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs in 2021 amounting to Rp. 1.2 million.

"There are reports from residents who received aid that BPUM was cut after it was disbursed, residents of a number of villages claimed that they were asked for Rp. 300-500 thousand," he said when contacted, Friday, September 3.

Rudi said the party who requested the money allegedly claimed to be a data collection officer. He regretted that there were complaints about this because the community was in need of assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Whoever the perpetrator is, stop it, whatever the form of the program must be right on target," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Banyuwangi Cooperative, Micro-Enterprise and Trade Office, Nanin Oktaviantie, confirmed that there was no BPUM deduction. This is because the aid is directly transferred to the personal account of the beneficiary.

The mechanism for obtaining this assistance is done by submitting a proposal. After that the Cooperatives Service proposed to the ministry.

After that it will be verified who is entitled to receive this assistance.

"If it passes, it will be transferred to a personal account. So there can be no deductions," said Nanin.

However, if there are a number of parties who ask residents for money after it has been disbursed, Nanin hopes that the residents will report it immediately.

Because the money is the right of the recipient and it is recommended that it be made for capital and business productivity.

"If someone insists and asks for money after it has been disbursed, please report it," he said.

For reporting, residents can complain to the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs call center number 1500587 or WhatsApp Center 08111450587 or directly to law enforcement officials.