Anies' Subordinates Admit That There Are Unscrupulous Who Cut Cash Social Assistance

ILLUSTRATION / DOC PRIVATE VOCATIONAL SCHOOL OF DKI PEMPROV

JAKARTA - Head of DKI Social Service, Premi Larasati, acknowledged the practice of cutting cash social assistance (BST) to Jakarta residents. This extortion was carried out by the head of the RT (Neighborhood Association).

Premi explained that this case was known from the complaints of the residents who were followed up. Then, her party asked the village head to monitor the implementation.

"There are residents who complain to us. Then, the person admits that (the BST nominal deduction) is only for the cost of the road. This is only a person, not many. Only one time", said Premi to reporters, Thursday, March 25.

She ensured that the head of the RT who carried out the BST cutting mode had been dismissed from his position. This refers to Governor Regulation  Number 171 of 2016.

"He stopped being the head of the RT, the Governor Regulation clearly regulates sanctions", said Premi.

Previously, the Social Protection Reform Coalition found that the distribution of cash social assistance (BST) or direct cash assistance (BLT) in DKI Jakarta still had loopholes for extortion.

The coalition found that there was a mode of extortion in the form of a nominal deduction of social assistance. The methods range from thank you money, administrative deductions from RT or RW (Citizens Association) for the construction of RW posts, buying an ambulance, to building places of worship.

Deputy Governor of DKI Jakarta Ahmad Riza Patria asked the community to report if they received cash social assistance (BST) with a nominal deduction.

Supposedly, BST beneficiaries should receive a nominal value of IDR 300 thousand. If there are officials from the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government who are caught circumcising the nominal BST, they will receive severe sanctions.

"Please prove if there is a DKI BST cut, please protest. If there are officers we cut at Bank DKI, we will give heavy sanctions", said Riza on Friday, March 12.

Riza said BST received by DKI residents was distributed by two parties, namely the central government, in this case, the Ministry of Social Affairs and the DKI Provincial Government. However, Riza claims that no person can deduct the BST nominal from the provincial government.

"Social assistance, which is the obligation of the Provincial Government through DKI Bank, goes directly to the ATM. So, there is no way to deduct it because it goes directly to each ATM and not reduced by 1 rupiah", said Riza.