Airlangga Reveals the Progress of the Realization of Transportation and BLT Discounts

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (Aris Nurjani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the government has carried out a number of economic stimulus programs to maintain people's purchasing power and encourage economic recovery.

He said one of the steps taken was to provide a 30 percent discount on train tickets during the period from December 22 to January 10.

Airlangga said that as of December 26, the number of train passengers was recorded at 1,093,231 people with a budget realization of 83.36 percent.

In addition, he added that PT Pelni provides a 20 percent discount on tickets during the period from December 17 to January 10 and this program targets 405,881 passengers with a budget allocation of Rp. 24.8 billion.

"The realization as of December 26 reached 67.4 percent or 273,674 people or worth Rp. 17.2 billion," said Airlangga at a press conference, Friday, December 26.

Furthermore, for the crossing sector, ASDP provides a 19 percent discount on tariffs and to date, the realization has been recorded as 89,982 units of vehicles and 235,556 passengers, or about 18 percent.

Meanwhile, in the air transportation sector, the government provides a 13 to 14 percent discount on air tickets, assuming the number of passengers reaches 3,598,590 people.

Airlangga added that to strengthen people's purchasing power, the government also distributed the Kesera Direct Cash Assistance (BLT)

He said that this program initially targeted 35.05 million beneficiary families, but was adjusted to 29,912,362 families based on the latest national economic census data and the distribution of the BLT Kesera is targeted to be completed by no later than December 29, 2025.

In addition, he added that the government distributed direct cash disaster assistance in the Sumatra region for residents affected by floods and landslides, amounting to Rp. 8 million per family.

"The government also distributes direct cash disaster assistance in Sumatra, namely Rp8 million per family for flood and landslide victims, consisting of Rp3 million for filling houses and Rp5 million for economic recovery," he explained.

Airlangga added that the government also provided a compensation of Rp15 million for the families of the deceased victims, and Rp5 million for the victims of severe injuries.

In addition, other assistance includes logistical assistance in the form of 10 kilograms of rice per month, cooking money of Rp300,000 to Rp450,000 per month, waiting money for housing of Rp600,000, and the construction of temporary housing.

Airlangga explained that the relaxation of the People's Business Loan (KUR) for SMEs after the disaster, in North Sumatra, Aceh, and West Sumatra was suspended from interest and installment payments, accompanied by monitoring the acceleration of business recovery.

"For new KUR debtors in the period from January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2027, the interest rate is set at 0 percent in 2026, 3 percent in 2027, and back to 6 percent in 2028," he said.

Meanwhile, Airlangga said regarding the Provincial Minimum Wage (UMP), the government had set it through Government Regulation Number 49 with an alpha value between 0.5 and 0.9.

According to him, the formula is a reference for local governments in determining the UMP of each region.