Government Targets 9 Percent Poverty Rate by the end of 2019

BANDUNG (July 9, 2019) - Social Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita stated that the political will of the government to fight poverty is very strong.

This is partly demonstrated by the continuing increase in the budget for handling poverty in the Ministry of Social Affairs, amidst the government's efforts to face the challenges of a global economy that is not easy. Including the trade wars of the United States and China also affect our economy.

However, the Minister saw that the commitment in fighting poverty was extremely strong, starting from the President, then the officials in the Ministry of Social Affairs and his staff.

"Then the results were extraordinary. The September 2018 BPS survey showed a poverty rate of 9.66 percent, and a Gini Ratio of 0.384. Reducing poverty alone is not easy. This can reduce not only poverty but also the Gini ratio. We have a poverty target of 9.00 percent by the end of 2019, "the Minister said in his remarks at the Dissemination Program for the Poor I Region, in Bandung, Tuesday (09/07/2019).

On that occasion, the Minister mentioned the hot news related to the involvement of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in the distribution of rice in the Non-Cash Food Aid (BPNT). The public considered there was a conflict between the Ministry of Social Affairs and Bulog. Social Minister asserted that the perception was not correct.

"I emphasize that there is no conflict. Both the Ministry of Social Affairs and Bulog are an inseparable part of the government, surely the Ministry of Social Affairs is called if there is a problem with Bulog. If the problem is that there is a large amount of Bulog rice reserves that are difficult to distribute, then the Ministry of Social Affairs is ready to jointly find a way out," said the Minister.

According to the Minister, the coordinator's ministerial-level meeting had agreed that the Ministry of Social Affairs would give Buklog the opportunity to become a supplier to e-warong. "But there is also a commitment for Bulog to distribute good quality rice. If you need fresh rice. So that KPM gets the good quality rice as it has always been," said the Minister.

This is important to emphasize, because so far the Beneficiary Families (KPM) have given high appreciation and satisfaction with BPNT. "These are the results of a survey by Microsave managed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, not what Agus Gumiwang said. The level of public satisfaction with BPNT reaches 96 percent," said the Minister.

The Minister of Social Affairs reminded that the President gave directions for social assistance to be distributed transparently and accountably. So the Ministry of Social Affairs applies the "6T" principle in the distribution of social assistance, which is right on target, right on time, right on time, on an administrative basis, and on quality for beneficiaries according to their needs.

"This can be done if the social assistance is implemented with a non-cash pattern by utilizing technology and cooperating with many parties. As long as I become Social Minister, I will maintain non-cash distribution," he said.

Up to date every 3 months 

In another part of his remarks, the Minister of Social Affairs also stressed the importance of the validity of the Integrated Database (BDT) which contains KPM data updates that are dynamic in nature. Because, there are KPM who have moved their address, worked outside their domicile, died, natural disasters, or their welfare level has improved, so they do not re-enter the criteria as KPM.

On the other hand, said the Minister, there might be a general public who were not yet included in the KPM category, due to loss of livelihoods or other factors (disaster) so they had to be recorded to enter the BDT.

"So, the Ministry of Social Affairs has made a new policy to determine the renewal of BDT every 3 months. Because of that, the KPM data was dynamic. So _up-dating_ data does not only have to be routine, but it is also done as often as possible," said the Minister.

"With the certainty that the BDT will facilitate the distribution of Social Assistance Groups (KUBE), Social Rehabilitation for Non-Habitable Homes (RS-RUTILAHU) and Environmental Facilities (Sarling) as well as Food Social Assistance," said the Minister.

The Minister emphasized, by using BDT in setting targets there are all social assistance programs, complementary social assistance to beneficiary families will provide leverage and benefits to increase income and welfare for beneficiary families.

"Therefore, the regional government, both provincial and district / city must have started to prepare KPM data with as up to date as possible," said the Minister.

The Minister of Social Affairs also asked the regional government to start preparing KPM data and infrastructure for implementing the non-cash assistance. Especially for remote areas, locations and targets must be prepared, because the targets are broader and more complex with heavy and dynamic geographical challenges.

Strengthen KUBE

On that occasion, the Minister of Social Affairs also paid attention to the Joint Community Service Group (KUBE). The Minister stated that he has a strong political will to advance KUBE. According to the Minister of Social Affairs, KUBE can be empowered without relying on the State Budget.

Since serving as minister, he has given special attention to strengthening the KUBE program. KUBE and UEP need not depend on the State Budget. Can be strengthened by non APBN budget. "If the state budget includes a budget for say 11,000 units (APBN 2019), we don't need to be fixated on that amount, it can be strengthened from other funding sources," said the Minister.

However, with a note, said the Minister, it still needs a study to explain how strong the contribution of some social assistance such as the Joint Business Group (KUBE), Social Rehabilitation for Non-Habitable Homes (RS-RUTILAHU) and Environmental Facilities (SARLING) as well as Food Social Assistance to reduce the gini ratio .

"There's no need to be ashamed if the success story from KPM KUBE is low. If KPM KUBE fails more, there is no need to be ashamed to admit it. Therefore we need a diagnosis, is it (the low success of KUBE) because there is no synergy between the types of businesses they develop with the market? So breaking up with the market? Or is it because the capital of Rp20 million is not enough? In the future, maybe, we will aim more, find the market. So that the value of KUBE assistance is higher, "said the Minister.     

On the same occasion, the Director General for Poor Management Andi ZA Dulung said, prospective recipients of KUBE, RS-Rutilahu and Sarling assistance must be included in the BDT. From the experience of the implementation of the three programs, there are still many potential recipients of assistance proposed by the Social Service that are not included in the UDB, there are still recipients of aid that have not used the funds appropriately, and the process of reporting the use of aid funds and reporting on aid developments often experience delays.

"To build the same understanding, and unity of the steps of the stakeholders involved in the KUBE, RS-Rutilahu and Sarling Programs, we carry out program socialization," said Andi.

Head of the Public Relations Bureau of the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs

Sonny W. Manalu