Deputy Governor Of DKI Claims Poverty Rate To Rise Not Only In Jakarta But In Indonesia, The Fact?

Residents carry out activities on the banks of the Ciliwung River, Kampung Melayu, Jakarta, September 2019. (Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Governor (Vice Governor) of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria claimed that the poverty rate of the population has increased, not only in Jakarta, but also in Indonesia.

This is in response to the results of the National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas) in March 2022 by the Central Statistics Agency (BPS). In this case, BPS noted that the poverty rate in Jakarta in March 2022 rose 0.02 percent compared to September 2021.

"So, the increase in poverty is not only in DKI Jakarta but throughout Indonesia. This is due to the COVID-19 pandemic which has been going on for more than two years," said Riza at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Friday, July 15.

Riza admitted that the government is currently pursuing a number of programs to alleviate poverty, improve the economy, and reduce inflation.

"So our ranks, Mr. Governor, our leaders in DKI are to be able to increase economic growth. Ensure the availability of goods, affordable prices, create jobs, and so on," said Riza.

Regarding Riza's statement about the poverty rate, BPS noted that Jakarta has experienced an increase in poverty rates over the last six months. Jakarta's poverty rate in the March 2022 period is around 502,000 people, an increase of 3,750 people from September 2021.

Head of BPS DKI Jakarta Anggoro Dwitjahyono explained that one of the reasons for the increase in the number of poor people was the decrease in purchasing power of the people who were still affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and also the increase in the price of goods and services.

"The increase in new cases of COVID-19 due to the Omicron variant during the March 2022 period has an impact on the imposition of restrictions on several economic activities that previously have begun to recover gradually. The economy is starting to improve, but people's purchasing power has not fully recovered," explained Anggoro.

However, BPS noted that the poverty rate in Indonesia did not increase as stated by Riza. The percentage of poor people in Indonesia in March 2022 was 9.54 percent, or decreased 0.17 percent from September 2021.

"The number of poor people in March 2022 was 26.16 million people, decreased by 0.34 million people against September 2021 and decreased by 1.38 million people in March 2021," said Head of BPS RI, Margo Yuwono.