Good News In The Middle Of Emergency PPKM, Social Assistance Disbursed No Later Than The Second Week Of July

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy. (Wardhany Tsa Tsia/VOI)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy promised that the distribution of social assistance (bansos) which was returned during the emergency PPKM would be disbursed no later than the second week of July.

This was decided in a meeting which was also attended by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Marves), the Minister of Villages and PDTT, the Governor of BI, the Chair of the OJK DK, the Head of BPS, the Deputy Minister of Finance, the Head of BPKP, and the President Director of BRI as the Chairman of the Himbara.

"Hopefully, no later than the second week of July, the social assistance will be distributed to all corners of the country to beneficiary families in need," said Muhadjir in a written statement quoted on Friday, July 2.

Based on the results of coordination with a number of ministries, the social assistance that will be provided is the extension of cash social assistance (BST) for the period of May-June to 10 million beneficiary families (KPM).

Then, the basic food program was also distributed to 18.8 million KPM and the Family Hope Program (PKH) to 10 million KPM.

Muhadjir admitted that his party had coordinated with several related ministries or institutions regarding data collection and distribution.

"The goal is to synchronize so that social assistance can be distributed as quickly as possible and its coverage is really right on target," said Muhadjir.

"The most important thing is that the people who are most affected, namely those at the lowest level, can be helped by the social assistance which will be rolled out later," he continued.

Meanwhile, regarding the distribution of BLT sourced from the Village Fund, Muhadjir requested that it be immediately paid to 5 million KPM for which the data already exists.

To fulfill the quota to 8 million KPM, Muhadjir asked for a review of the use of the Village Fund so that people affected by the pandemic can get assistance.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani emphasized that there were no problems in budgeting for the provision of BST social assistance.

“I ask for this to be sent immediately so that in July it can be distributed immediately and at the same time two months of BST allocation. This will certainly be very helpful," said Sri Mulyani.

However, Sri Mulyani asked the Minister of Social Affairs to write a letter regarding the proposal for an extension of the BST allocation budget for May-June 2021.

For distribution to those whose data is similar (close to 70 percent) and the data is incomplete, the Minister of Social Affairs can write to Himbara to authorize it," he said.