Keep Working, Minister of Social Affairs and Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency Monitor the Distribution of Grocery on Weekend

BEKASI (May 16, 2020) - Although it is a holiday, which should be enjoyed at home with family, the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara, and the Head of the Criminal Investigation Agency (Kabareskrim), Inspector General of Police Listyo Sigit, handed over and monitored the distribution of basic food (sembako) in Bekasi City and West Jakarta, today (16/5).

The Social Affairs Minister and Kabareskrim visited the tenement house occupied by an 80-year-old old lady named Nanih.

"Grandma, do you know why I came here," asked the Social Affairs Minister, Ari. "You want to give me sembako," replied the grandmother, greeted by the laughter of the Minister.

The Social Minister then introduced himself and conveyed the purpose of his arrival. "Grandma, I am the Minister of Social Affairs, together with Mr. Kabareskrim from the National Police, and the Mayor, we bring sembako from the President for Grandma," said the Minister of Social Affairs, greeted by a smile from Grandma Nanih.

The Minister of Social Affairs handed over basic food wrapped in red and white bags with the words 'assistance from the President', and was greeted by the old lady with both trembling hands, with the help of one of the residents to put them in her house.

Nanih (82), who lives alone in a tenement house, is still enthusiastic about making ends meet by opening a shop. She admitted that in this COVID-19 pandemic situation, she only received 10,000 rupiahs in a day.

“Yes, I opened a shop, got ten thousand (rupiahs),” said Nanih briefly.

Nanih knew from whom the basic food she had just received. With a broken voice, she thanked the President, "Thank you Mr. Jokowi for your help," said Nanih, raising her thumb.

Together with the Head of the Indonesian National Police’s Criminal Investigation Agency (Kabareskrim Polri) and The Director General of Social Protection and Security, Pepen Nazaruddin, Social Affairs Minister Ari visited the Jatimakmur area, Pondok Gede, Bekasi City to directly distribute basic food assistance from the President.

Welcomed by the Bekasi Mayor, Rahmad Effendi, Minister Ari distributed 309 basic food packages directly to residents affected by COVID-19 as the government's effort to help overcome the burden on their families.

The Minister of Social Affairs and his group continued their journey to the RW 03 area of Krukut Village, Tamansari District, West Jakarta, to distribute 1,066 basic food packages.