Social Minister Consolidates Data With BPS Regarding Social Assistance Impact Of VAT 12 Percent

Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (ANTARA/Lintang Budiyanti Prameswari)

Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Saifullah Yusuf stated that his party is still consolidating data with the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) regarding social assistance (bansos) due to the increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) by 12 percent in 2025.

"Now what is the 12 percent VAT plan like? There is no new data yet, except that now the data is being consolidated, reconciled by BPS, later with the new data, we will adjust of course," said the Minister of Social Affairs as reported by ANTARA, Friday, December 27.

The Minister of Social Affairs emphasized that VAT 12 percent is selective, and the government has certainly designed social protection specifically for the community.

"So once again 12 percent is carried out selectively, and there are special protections for those who do need protection from the government," he said.

As for social assistance and the Family Hope Program (PKH), according to him, it was planned beforehand and will still be distributed according to existing data.

"Now for social assistance, we have planned this previously, so for social assistance and the PKH program, we have planned it in 2024, 2025, we just need to implement it while looking at the data dynamics of the beneficiaries," he explained.

The Minister of Social Affairs said that social assistance data is still dynamic and is anticipated for data changes to determine who is worthy and does not receive social protection and social security.

"Once again the data has not been completed and the data will be dynamic, we anticipate what it will be like, so so far there has been no data change and of course we will talk later, which beneficiary families really need support and deserve social protection and social security," he said.

He emphasized that in distributing social assistance or social protection, the Ministry of Social Affairs held two routes to provide input on the dynamics in the field.

"First, the official route through village deliberations, sub-districts to the sub-district to the social service, regents, mayors, to the top of the Ministry of Social Affairs is an official route, then the participation route through the social assistance check application, there is a rebuttal proposal. The public may argue, may suggest, the important thing is that later it will be accompanied by data as well, no one suddenly proposes," said Gus Ipul.