Ministry Of Social Affairs: The Direct Cash Assistance For Cooking Oil Can Be Used For Business Capital

Screenshot of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Harry Hikmat (Photo Via ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs Harry Hikmat stated that the use of direct cash assistance (BLT) for cooking oil, apart from purchasing basic needs, can also be used for business capital.

This refers to President Joko Widodo's statement when launching BLT cooking oil at the Angso Duo Market, Jambi, Thursday, April 7. Jokowi asked for BLT for useful purposes, such as business capital or for buying basic needs, including cooking oil whose prices are increasing.

"It should also be emphasized that in principle the government reduces the burden of public spending when the prices of basic needs increase. So that its use is not only limited to purchasing cooking oil but can also be used for other basic needs," said Harry in a virtual media briefing related to BLT Cooking Oil was followed online in Jakarta, Antara, Friday, April 8.

Harry said the president also emphasized how to use the cooking oil BLT for traders, who did consume cooking oil while at the Angso Duo Market, Jambi.

"So this is one of the solutions issued by the government so that people can also continue their business, without being burdened by rising prices or rising cooking oil," said Harry.

BLT for Cooking Oil is the president's policy to reduce public spending in the midst of rising prices entering the month of Ramadan, including the increase in cooking oil prices.

Symbolically, the launch of the BLT for Cooking Oil was carried out by handing over cash from the President to the beneficiaries at the Angso Duo Market. Present at the activity were 100 beneficiaries who received assistance worth IDR 300 thousand/KPM (Beneficiary Families).

BLT cooking oil is given with an index of IDR 100.000 every month for three months (April, May, and June), which is submitted all at once in April 2022. So that people who meet the requirements will receive assistance worth IDR 300 thousand/KPM – which is submitted in cash through PT Indonesian post.

BLT Cooking Oil reached the target of 20.65 million KPM. They are 18.8 million KPM Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) and 1.85 million KPM Family Hope Program (PKH) which have not been registered as BPNT recipients.

The cooking oil BLT policy is part of the government's efforts to protect and maintain the purchasing power of the people, especially the poor and vulnerable groups, as an important foundation in supporting and encouraging national economic recovery.

Thus, the BLT cooking oil policy also contributes to strengthening the economic foundation in facing various challenges and risks to the dynamics of the global and domestic economy.