There Is Nothing To Do With The 2024 General Election, Jokowi Asks For The Social Assistance Program To Be Continued

President Joko Widodo delivered his remarks at the Plenary Cabinet Session at the State Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (9/1/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo stated that the program for distributing social assistance to people in need must be continued.

"Regarding social assistance, I need to remind you that it must be continued and monitored so that it is right on target," he said while chairing the Plenary Cabinet Session at the State Palace, Jakarta, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 9.

He asked related ministries and institutions to ensure the distribution of social assistance, including food assistance, Family Hope Program assistance (PKH), and direct cash assistance, right on target.

Responding to the proposal to stop the distribution of social assistance during the 2024 General Election, Presidential Special Staff Coordinator Ari Dwipayana last week said that the government is running a social assistance program to help poor families who are facing difficult situations due to rising prices for basic commodities.

"The main goal of social assistance is as a cushion or social protection so that the community or poor families are able to survive the pressure of rising food prices as a result of El Nino and the disruption of supply chains which has an impact on increasing global food prices," Ari said via text message.

Ari emphasized that the distribution of social assistance is an affirmation program from the government for the people whose funds come from the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget and have been mutually approved by the government and the DPR.

"So, it has nothing to do with the election process," he said.

He stated that the target for the social assistance program was clear, there was data on the name and address. The distribution of social assistance also involves the central government to the village government.

"The implementation in the field is also open to being monitored by various parties. In fact, the government encourages program convergence so that various parties, including non-governmental circles, are involved in poverty reduction programs," he said.

The National Winning Team (TPN) for presidential and vice presidential candidates Ganjar Pranowo and Mohammad Mahfud Md had received criticism from the National Campaign Team (TKN) for presidential and vice presidential candidates Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming for proposing to postpone the distribution of social assistance during the 2024 General Election.

However, TPN Deputy for Legal Affairs Ganjar-Mahfud, Todung Mulya Lubis, denied proposing to stop the distribution of social assistance until the 2024 presidential election was over.