Airlangga: Distribution Of Social Assistance Forms Of Government Presence, Not Political Agenda

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto when met at the Kalukku sub-district office, Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi on Friday (2/2/2024). (ANTARA/Farhan Arda Nugraha)

MAMUJU - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto emphasized that the distribution of social assistance (bansos) is a form of government presence in helping the community so that it has nothing to do with the political agenda.

"Yes, as I said, social assistance is for the government's presence," said Airlangga when met at the Kalukku sub-district office, Mamuju Regency, West Sulawesi, as reported by ANTARA, Friday, February 2.

Airlangga explained that the various social assistance provided by the government is a program that is run every year. Providing social assistance is a continuation of the programs that have been carried out previously.

"The government provides PKH (Family Hope Program) of IDR 250 thousand throughout the year. Then we also have basic food assistance, it continues. There are KIS contributions (Healthy Indonesian Cards), education cards throughout the year. So food assistance and BLT (Direct Cash Assistance) This is a continuation of previous programs," he said.

Therefore, Airlangga dismissed accusations that the provision of social assistance was a politicized program, especially ahead of the general election (election).

"How come every year there are elections? Every month there are elections? Canggaada," he said.

On a separate occasion, Airlangga conveyed that the distribution of the 2024 Food Assistance Program to 22 million food aid recipients was intended to protect people's purchasing power from the direct impact of rising food prices.

"The distribution of Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) for Food Risk Mitigation, which is a continuation of BLT El Nino to 18.8 million Beneficiary Families (KPM), is also expected to protect people's purchasing power," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga in Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Friday.

According to him, with the protection of people's purchasing power, the level of public consumption will also continue to contribute to economic growth.