Social Minister Risma Prepares The Distribution Of BLT BBM For 18.4 Million KPM

Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, the government is ready to distribute direct cash assistance (BLT). (photo: dock. between)

JAKARTA - As promised, the government will balance the distribution of social assistance amid the increase in the price of subsidized fuel. Even Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini stated that the government was ready to distribute direct cash assistance (BLT) for the transfer of fuel subsidies to 18.4 million beneficiary families (KPM) out of a total of 20.6 million KPM.

"From the 20.6 million KPM plan, we are ready to channel at PTPos Indonesia 18,486,756 KPM. The rest are in the process of cleaning (data correction) because as we know, for example we announced today, this hour, 1 hour or a few minutes later there was (potential recipient) who died. So, we need to record again, there are still 313,244 KPM," said Risma at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Saturday, September 3, as quoted by Antara.

This BLT fuel, said Risma, will be given four times with a gift of Rp. 150 thousand each. The provision of BBM BLT is in two stages from four distributions so that KPM will receive Rp. 300 thousand per stage.

"We give it as of September (first stage) and in early December we will give a second," he said.

He also provides opportunities for people who want to propose to enter as KPM. The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) will cooperate with local governments and assistant staff to verify the proposal as KPM.

"So, residents can propose themselves to the program and we will check in the field between the regions and our companions. We have 70,000 companions throughout Indonesia," he said.

The Ministry of Social Affairs also has a command center in the phone number 021-171 which operates for a full 24 hours to receive complaints about social assistance.

Risma said that the Ministry of Social Affairs is also collaborating with PT Pos Indonesia, local governments, and indigenous peoples to distribute the BLT for the transfer of fuel to various areas that are difficult to access, such as in mountainous areas.

"For sick residents, the elderly, and cannot come to the Post Office, the Post will take them to the house, that's the agreement. So, you just have to check later, just call the command center. So, it will be followed up," he said.

BLT BBM is one of the government's social assistance packages after diverting fuel subsidies. The government has budgeted social assistance for the transfer of fuel subsidies of Rp24.17 trillion.

In addition to BLT, the government will also distribute two other forms of social assistance from the transfer of fuel subsidies, namely wage subsidy assistance of Rp600 thousand to 16 million workers with a maximum salary of Rp3.5 million per month.

Assistance from local governments using 2 percent of public transfer funds, namely general allocation funds and revenue-sharing funds of Rp2.17 trillion in order to help the transportation sector, such as public transportation, motorcycle taxis, fishermen, and additional social protection assistance.