The Polemic Behind Donations For Sky Gala, The Ministry Of Social Affairs Says It Must Have A Permit To Collect Money

Illustration of a donation (Photo by Christian Dubovan on Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Social Affairs explained the correct rules for the Collection of Money and Goods (PUB) in the midst of the polemic over the donation of Gala Sky house, the son of the late Vanessa Angel who died in a car accident. The family of the late Vanessa took issue with the fundraising because it was deemed not to have official permission.

The Director for Managing Social Assistance Fund Resources, Salahuddin Yahya, told ANTARA that there must be a permit for the Collection of Money and Goods.

"What happened related to this latest incident is nothing new at the Ministry of Social Affairs, because throughout Indonesia there are observers who monitor PUB activities in the community", Yahya said on Saturday, January 8, quoted from Antara.

This is regulated in the Minister of Social Affairs Regulation Number 8 of 2021, as well as Law Number 9 of 1961. The collection of money or goods may not be carried out by individuals, but through foundations or community organizations that are legal entities.

Regarding the polemic, the donation for the son of the celebrity does not have a permit. If the fundraising or goods raising is carried out within the scope of the regency/city, the permit must be obtained from the regent. At the provincial level, the permit is issued by the governor. If it is cross-provincial, then the permit must be issued from the Ministry of Social Affairs.

Through this regulation, the process of collecting funds to distribute to the parties concerned will be accountable. The Ministry of Social Affairs will also cooperate with other related parties so that the implementation activities take place in an orderly manner. He gave an example, raising funds for Palestine will involve coordination from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the funds collected are channeled properly.

The party concerned with the donation for Gala Sky, said Yahya, has been summoned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and is willing to attend next week.

The Ministry of Social Affairs will not immediately give punishment if it is guilty. Everything will be done gradually. There are two sanctions, namely administrative and criminal. If after being investigated and clarified, the party concerned still violates the rules, the funds collected can be returned to the state.

However, the first step to be taken is through education and a persuasive approach. This is because the party concerned may not know that fundraising must obtain permission from the Ministry of Social Affairs.

"Later, we will be guided to follow the rules", he said.

The granting of a permit for the collection of money and goods is the main task of the Directorate for the Management of Social Assistance Funds. Permission can be requested by filling out a form at the Management of Social Assistance Fund Resources or coming directly to a special counter at the Ministry of Social Affairs.

"There is a counter on the third floor, later they will be guided", he said.

For emergency matters, such as collecting funds for victims of Mount Semeru, the permit issuance process can be parallel to the donation process. Permits must be renewed quarterly to keep them under control. After the fundraising is complete, there must be a complete report starting from the number of funds collected to who gets the help.