Dinsos Surabaya Suspects Someone Takes Use Of Food Assistance, Residents Are Asked To Report

BPNT distribution/Photo: Antara

SURABAYA - The Surabaya City Social Service asked residents to report if there was coercion or threats from individuals who used Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) recipients to buy basic necessities at certain stores.

Head of the Surabaya City Social Service (Dinsos) Anna Fajriatin said that her party had coordinated with the Surabaya Communications and Information Office (Dinkominfo) regarding this matter.

"If there is coercion or threats, residents can report it through the Wargaku application, Command Center 112, or the Surabaya Social Service call center at 03159174855," she said in Surabaya, Thursday, March 10.

In addition, she continued, according to instructions from Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi, residents can also report and contact the RI Ministry of Social Affairs call center at 08111022210, or PT Pos Indonesia at 081223330332.

Apart from Diskominfo Surabaya, Anna also coordinates with sub-districts and village heads throughout Surabaya to give advice to the public. Some of the appeals were packaged through Videotron as well as social media, with the aim of making citizens more aware of this case.

Anna hopes that residents who have received BPNT will use the assistance money to buy what they need and can buy basic goods at any store.

"According to the instructions from the Ministry of Social Affairs, it is expected that the people who receive the money will be used to buy basic needs. So don't let the aid money given be used for other purposes," she said.

Mayor of Surabaya Eri Cahyadi previously declared jihad after hearing news that there were individuals who used BPNT recipients to buy basic necessities at certain stores. Eri considered the coercion to be unreasonable and must be dealt with firmly.

Eri emphasized that the findings could not be left alone. "It's time for the government to step down. This is what is called jihad fisabilillah. If there are findings like this, please report them. These are poor people, they need money instead," he said.

Should, he continued, the IDR 600 thousand BPNT money received by low-income people (MBR) from the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) was the full right of the recipient. After being accepted, the MBR residents were freed to buy basic materials as needed without any coercion from anyone.