Supporting The Social Assistance Budget Not Cut, Commission VIII DPR: People Need Government Assistance

Illustration of residents getting social assistance (bansos) from the central government. (Between)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission VIII DPR RI Mahdalena supports the government's decision not to cut the social assistance budget (Bansos) even though it is making efficiency. According to him, the social assistance budget should not be cut because it is the right of the underprivileged people.

"Of course I support that (the social assistance budget is not cut). In fact, if it is cut, the presence of the state is in doubt, because we know that there are still many people who need government assistance," said Mahdalena, Wednesday, February 12.

The legislator of the National Awakening Party (PKB) from the NTB I electoral district said the number of poor people in September 2024 was 24.06 million people. This number has indeed decreased by 1.16 million people compared to March 2024 and decreased by 1.84 million people compared to March 2023.

Meanwhile, the percentage of urban poor people in September 2024 was 6.66 percent, a decrease compared to March 2024 which was 7.09 percent.

"Then the percentage of poor rural people in September 2024 is still 11.34 percent. So indeed there are still very many Indonesians who need state assistance," said Mahdalena.

"Therefore, I emphasize my support for government policies that do not cut the social assistance budget. The record is that any assistance please do not be politicized and must be right on target," he said.

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment (Menko PM) Muhaimin Iskandar ensured that social assistance would not be subject to a budget efficiency policy.

"We emphasize that there is no budget cuts for social assistance. Efficiency does not reduce our performance," said Muhaimin in Central Jakarta, Tuesday, February 11.

The General Chairperson of the PKB said that the ministry of institutions under the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment is ready to make adjustments. He ensured that his party fully supports the cutting policy.

In addition, Cak Imin conveyed that the meeting discussed a number of aspects related to social assistance. Among other things, the issue of DTSEN which concerns regulations on the distribution of social assistance (bansos).

"With the stronger DTSEN, it is clearer that the beneficiaries have (registered) in the Beneficiary Families (KPM), we continue to improve their welfare," he said.