JAKARTA (24 May 2023) – The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) is open and cooperative in assisting the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) team's efforts to carry out their duties as Law Enforcement Officials (APH).


Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini stated that the alleged corruption case being probed by the KPK occurred in 2020, while she was not yet Minister of Social Affairs.


"It happened in 2020. I was inaugurated on 27 December 2020, and this occurred about September, so I'm not sure what the problem is," Risma stated during a press conference at the Indonesian MoSA’s Office on Wednesday (24/05).


The KPK is investigating an alleged criminal act of corruption in the distribution of Rice Social Assistance for Beneficiary Families (KPM) under the 2020 Family Hope Program (PKH).


In handling this case, the Minister stated that she was cooperative and would not interfere with any of the tasks carried out by the KPK team while conducting investigations at the MoSA's office on Tuesday (23/5).


“I don't know what document they were looking for. They leave as soon as they are finished and say farewell to me. Then I took them downstairs and headed back up to finish my work," she explained.


It is known that the KPK visited the MoSA's office to collect information and data on this issue. Throughout this process, the Ministry of Social Affairs cooperated with and supported the KPK's law enforcement efforts.


Comply with Presidential Instructions


Furthermore, the Minister stated that in carrying out the task of distributing social assistance, she implemented the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo's directive not to provide aid in the form of goods.


"In 2021, when I was inaugurated, the President said that if possible social assistance should not be distributed in the form of items like rice. I follow the President's directives. The assistance comes in the form of money rather than commodities," said the Minister.


In subsequent implementation, MoSA ensured that no aid would be in the form of items, particularly rice. Previously, cooking oil assistance and fuel oil subsidies were delivered in the form of a Cash Transfer (BLT) or money in 2022.


"It is clear that MoSA does not provide assistance in the form of goods. I have a principle of following the President's instructions. It is more convenient for me because commodity monitoring is complicated. We will run out of time to monitor them," she continued.


In carrying out its duties, MoSA collaborates with APH such as the KPK, Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP), Attorney General's Office, Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim Polri), and National Police Corruption Prevention Task Force.


"So, from the start, we requested support from APH, who conducted day-to-day monitoring in our office. So if there is a report, I immediately send it to them," Risma said.


Risma also reminded the community that if there are reports of improper distribution of social assistance, they can use the 'suggest and rebute' feature on the Cek Bansos Application.


"There is a 'suggest and rebut' feature, which allows anyone to rebut if the assistance provided is not accurate. Then I will notify the local government that this person was not eligible for the assistance. Initially, we must wait up to three months before the data is regarded as accurate. Now it's only a month," she remarked.


According to the results of the Kompas R&D survey conducted on 29 April - 10 May 2023, public satisfaction with the government's performance received the highest score in the field of Social Welfare, with the Ministry of Social Affairs contributing 9.4% to poverty alleviation and 6.2% to Social Assistance.