Ministry Of Social Affairs Will Act On Wagon People Looking For Donations During Fasting

Portrait of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Harry Hikmat at the National Coordination Meeting for the Fulfillment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Jakarta, Tuesday (5/4/2022). (ANTARA/Hreeloita Dharma Shanti)

JAKARTA - Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) Harry Hikmat stressed that he would take action against any manusia gerobak and those seeking social welfare services (PPKS) who seek donations while fasting during the month of Ramadan until Eid. "So if there is a trend ahead of Lebaran, there is PPKS, say fake quotes, we will report it later, we will carry out threat outreach, assessments, then we will confirm how the service intervention is," said Harry at the National Coordination Meeting for the Fulfillment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as reported by Antara, Tuesday, April 5th.

Harry said that if it was found that there were manusia gerobak or PPKS who did not really need donations, the Ministry of Social Affairs would take action by returning them to their original places.

On the other hand, if the group really needs assistance, it will provide support in the form of providing space to live in the hall, given culinary or trade training or empowerment of abilities so that children can go to school in the hall like the one in Pangudi Luhur, Bekasi.

“So the strategy pattern is comprehensive, not just the scavengers. Risma's mother always reminded her that her son's check was his wife's check. If you meet a child on the road, check their child and this is important at the ministry because it is usually partial. This is no longer allowed, we must synergize between directorates and practice in the field, the response to our case is very different," he said.

According to Harry, the Ministry of Social Affairs has even prepared a flat that was built with the Ministry of PUPR and is planned to be completed in May 2022. With details located in Pangudi Luhur and in Bulak Kapal, Bekasi.

He said that in the Bambu Apus area, East Jakarta, the flats that were built have been 95 percent completed along with the procurement of furniture which costs approximately Rp. 30 billion. The plan is that 16 flats will be built in different areas for PPKS.

"That's at the guesthouse you can eat for free, later you will be encouraged to have a business and continue to be accepted in the flats. They have to start being independent, start using their own money, be trained to live independently and later be prepared to leave the flat to live normally in the community they choose, so the pattern is very holistic," said Harry.

Harry said the Ministry of Social Affairs was obliged to respond to any complaints from the public. He also thanked the media for helping the case to be reported.

“The public sees and is sensitive to the cases that occur. It's like we also precede before being reported by the media. But then factually, we should express our appreciation to the media for revealing the facts on the ground from such complaints," he said.