Viral Alor Regent Angry About Disaster Aid Through DPRD, Social Minister Risma Gives Explanation

Social Minister Tri Rismaharini (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Social Minister Tri Rismaharini explained the viral video of the Regent of Alor, NTT, Amon Djobo, was angry with his staff regarding the distribution of the Family Hope Program social assistance which was allegedly handed over through the DPRD. Risma emphasized that the aid was related to disasters.

Risma said that the assistance to Alor Regency was the assistance for the Seroja Cyclone disaster which involved a number of parties including the DPRD, not the Family Hope Program (PKH).

“At that time, the chairman of the DPRD (Alor) said we needed help, but couldn't (enter). He (Chairman of the DPRD) offered, 'Madam, there is a package from Dolog that you can replace'," said Risma as quoted by Antara, Wednesday, June 2.

Risma said that with the encouragement that aid was distributed quickly, she connected with the Chair of the Alor Regency DPRD, Enny Anggrek, who offered to help so that aid for disaster victims could be quickly received by the Alor community.

When the disaster struck, Risma had difficulty distributing aid due to the weather and poor internet connection. However, the Ministry of Social Affairs ensures that the needs of the people of Alor Regency, which were affected by the Cyclone Seroja disaster some time ago, are met.

Risma confirmed that the officer in the video contained by the Alor Regent was an employee of the Ministry of Social Affairs who was officially carrying out his duties.

Regarding the viral video, his party has clarified and confirmed that the two Ministry of Social employees are working well and in accordance with their main duties and functions in Alor Regency.

Risma invites all parties to improve cooperation, communication, coordination, especially in the condition that the State is working to serve disaster-affected communities.

On the other hand, the official from the Ministry of Social Affairs in Alor Regency, Mokhamad Alfian, stated that he was in Alor Regency to ensure that the basic needs of disaster victims were met.

Alfian said he was not affected by various unpleasant conditions. “Our job is to ensure that aid reaches the community. In this case, we distribute death compensation for disaster victims," said Alfian.

He was carrying out his official duties on April 7 to complete compensation for the death of the deceased in Alor Regency, until April 13. Alfian even had to go to Alor twice to carry out his duties.

Even after the incident, they made two return visits to Alor Regency.

“We are working with a focus on serving and easing the burden on the people of Alor, who were affected by the disaster. We are not affected by various unpleasant conditions," he said.

"We are well aware that humanitarian tasks cannot be abandoned and must still be carried out despite various dynamics on the ground," he said.