Inspection in Tangerang City, Social Minister Asks Beneficiaries to Refuse Being Charged in Any Form

Following up on President Joko Widodo's instructions, Social Minister Tri Rismaharini conducted an inspection of recipients of Cash Social Assistance (BST), Family Hope Program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT)/Sembako Program at RT 03/ RW 03 Tangerang City, Banten, Wednesday (28/7/2021).

One of the residents, Aryanih who received the BPNT, admitted that she was asked for plastic bag money by certain parties related to the assistance program she received from the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA).

"You should refuse the charges of plastic bag money or whatever it is called. Your right is to receive full amount of social assistance and that means without any deductions. Don't be afraid, Ma'am. I guarantee it, so write to me about this," said the Social Minister.

Maryanih also felt the same way. She received BPNT but the prices of the components she received did not match or did not reach IDR 200,000 per month.

"Earlier, it has been calculated by an officer from the Food Task Force/Police Headquarters. The price of the components was only IDR 177,000 from what should have been 200 thousand. There was IDR 23,000 short. Just imagine IDR 23,000 times 18.8 million (of beneficiaries throughout Indonesia)," said the Social Minister.

The beneficiaries of BST, BPNT/Sembako Program and PKH were asked to help the government so that the assistance could reach fully without any cut by anyone.

"Please help us to find out whether there are cuts or not. If these things continue, this (poverty problem) cannot be solved. The residents will not prosper," said the Social Minister.

Previously, the Social Minister met and had a dialogue with residents queuing for BST disbursement by implementing health protocols on Jalan H. Diran RT 08/RW 01, Gg Rawa 1, Pinang Village, Pinang District, Tangerang City. There were 110 residents who received BST.

"We need to be empowered. Do not stay as the beneficiaries of social assistance. For example, in Surabaya City, there are cake villages and lontong (rice cake) villages that focus on making cakes and rice cakes," said the Social Minister.

The Social Minister also motivates social assistance beneficiaries to change their fate through entrepreneurship programs such as raising chickens or laying hens.

"I am always enthusiastic on motivating people to change through productive business programs, including raising chickens or laying hens. The results can improve family welfare," said the Social Minister.