Jakarta (September 28, 2024) - Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf (read: Gus Ipul) said that during the last cabinet meeting at Ibu Kota Nusantara, President-elect Prabowo Subianto said that Indonesia has a strong foundation to rise and become a developed country. Even so, in the future, Indonesia will also face some challenges. Among them are the problems of drugs and online gambling (judol).

"Those are challenges related to social problems," said Gus Ipul when delivering his remarks at a focus group discussion on the 2025 program and budget plan with Commission VIII of the House in Jakarta, on Saturday (28/9) evening.

The problems of drugs and judol, said Gus Ipul, are serious problems for every country that wants to rise. These problems have very serious social consequences. Therefore, to overcome these problems, collaboration is needed. "Later, we at the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) will innovate and improve what is lacking to accelerate social welfare," said Gus Ipul.

On that occasion, Gus Ipul also expressed his appreciation to Commission VIII of the House because in 2020 they experienced difficult times when COVID-19 hit the world. "In those difficult times, the poverty rate was able to decrease compared to before the COVID-19 period," said Gus Ipul.

Gus Ipul said that at MoSA, the distribution of PKH assistance and other social assistance has maintained people's purchasing power to remain stable. The implementation of Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) not only restores Social Welfare Service for Persons in Need (PPKS) but also ensures that PPKS receive proper treatment according to their needs. Social empowerment and strengthening entrepreneurship have been able to increase the economy of beneficiary families.

Gus Ipul also promised to pay attention to input from Commission VIII of the House which requested that the issue of Social Assistance data be a priority for his ministry.

Chairman of Commission VIII of the House, Ashabul Kahfi appreciated the hard work of all members of Commission VIII and working partners.  "Many achievements that we have obtained ranging from social, health, child protection, disaster management, and religion that cannot be separated from the role and work partners of ministries and institutions," he said. (*)