PDTT Village Minister: Please Don't Go Home, Just Send The Money By Post, Money Order, Or Bank To Families In The Village

Minister of Villages, Underdeveloped Regions and Transmigration, Abdul Halim Iskandar. (ANTARA/HO-Kemendes)

JAKARTA - The Minister for Villages, Underdeveloped Areas and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar (Gus Minister) appealed to residents from villages who are currently on overseas land to postpone the Lebaran homecoming again.

As reported by Antara, Friday, April 16, he suggested that the money that has been prepared for this year's homecoming should be given to families in the village.

"I urge you not to get back to your village. Just send the money by post, money order, or bank to your families in the village. The important thing is that everything is healthy," he said.

Gus Minister said the money transferred by nomads to families in villages would help increase economic turnover in the atmosphere of Eid in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic that has occurred since last year until now has had an impact on decreasing economic activity nationally.

In addition, Gus Minister invited villagers to participate in activities during Ramadan while maintaining health protocols.

He hopes that the COVID-19 pandemic that is still being experienced to date will not be a barrier to the economic and social productivity of the people in the village.

"Come on, all villagers together to appeal to the families who are overseas, not to go home first. Sincere one another, pray that those in the village will be calm, those who are overseas are also calm," he said.

He said the policy to ban homecoming is an effort that must be done to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Even so, he continued, the government's efforts were still carried out so that the economic turnaround on Islamic religious holidays could continue.

"The Ministry of Villages, Development of Underdeveloped Areas, and Transmigration continue to check on Village Funds that have been distributed and which have been utilized so that the economy can expand. So that this Ramadan can be enjoyed by anyone, including those who are deficient due to COVID-19," he said.