Jakarta Provincial Government Moves Quickly After Blusukan Risma Meets Homeless People Until Thamrin

Social Minister Tri Rismaharini meets homeless people in Jakarta (Photo: Twitter @PDI_Perjuangan)

JAKARTA - The DKI Provincial Government has moved to recruit people with social welfare problems (PMKS) after the blusukan of Social Minister Tri Rismaharini at a number of points in the Capital City.

Head of the Central Jakarta Social Service, Ngapuli Parangin-Angin, said that his party and the DKI Jakarta Satpol PP were combing a number of protocol roads, including Jalan Sudirman to MH Thamrin on Tuesday, January 5.

As a result, 29 homeless people were caught. They were taken to a temporary shelter, namely the Tanah Abang Sports Center, Central Jakarta.

"The netted homeless are being assessed before they are being assessed. Only 10 people have been assessed, the rest are still at the Sports Hall," said Ngapuli when contacted by VOI, Wednesday, January 6.

Ngapuli said that the homeless people who have been assessed will receive guidance in a number of homes. The general homeless were placed in the Balaraja Rehabilitation Center, the elderly were taken to a nursing home, and those with mental disorders were taken to the Bina Laras Social Home.

However, Ngapuli admitted that currently the capacity of the orphanage belonging to the DKI Provincial Government is full. Therefore, the currently netted homeless people are being brought to the Pangudi Luhur Social Home belonging to the Ministry of Social Affairs.

"We have an orphanage, but our flat home in Balaraja is full. So, they are referred to the Pangudi Luhur social institution owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs. If the Kemensos institution is empty it's better. They are nurtured and trained for their future independence," he explained.

Homeless appeared on the main street because of Risma?

Deputy Governor of DKI, Ahmad Riza Patria, admitted that he was surprised that there were homeless people who were found by Social Minister Tri Rismaharini on Jalan MH Thamrin when he was blusukan some time ago.

Riza admitted that during her stay in Jakarta, she never found any people with social welfare problems (PMKS) on the main street.

"I myself have been living in Jakarta since I was 4 years old. I just heard that there are homeless people on Jalan Sudirman to MH Thamrin. If they are on the outskirts and under bridges, it is true that there are still people," said Riza at the DKI City Hall.

The Head of the Central Jakarta Social Service, Ngapuli Paranginangin, thought that the number of homeless people in that location had increased after Risma blusukan.

"Maybe, when the Minister came (blusukan to meet homeless people), it would be crowded," said Ngapuli.

However, Ngapuli again confirmed that Risma's blusukan was not the main reason the homeless appeared on the main street. According to him, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is the reason they are homeless.

"This is due to the impact of the pandemic. Many people are in trouble and scavenging to get a bite of rice.

It was not only because of the Minister of Social Affairs (blusukan) that they came crowded, "he said.

Previously, the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini on Monday, December 28 started his work at the Ministry of Social Affairs with blusukan. Risma visited the Ciliwung River basin, behind the Ministry of Social Affairs office. While heading to the Pramuka fly over area, Risma met several families who lived under the bridge.

The blusukan action was resumed on Wednesday, December 30th. Risma went to the residents who lived illegally in the Panjang Gedong toll road area, Pluit.

Then, Risma returned to blusukan by walking along the pedestrian lane on Jalan Thamrin, right on the right side of Plaza UOB, Central Jakarta on Monday, January 4. Risma met a number of beggars.

While in Thamrin, Risma found three PPKS. As usual, he greeted them and had a dialogue with them, including asking them where they came from, and asking them to receive guidance.