MANADO (November 18, 2019) – Social Affairs Minister Juliari P. Batubara stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs and all stakeholders needed to make partnership to improve the access for persons with disabilities. One of important partner for the MoSA was local government.

“In the development of entrepreneurship’s aspect, the government of North Sulawesi had provided support towards Social Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Visual Sensory Disabilities “Tumou Tou”. The result handycrafts from BRSPDSN will get help to sell their product by the local government. For the Governor of North Sulawesi, we want to say thank you,” said the Minister in his visit at Social Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Visual Sensory Disabilities “Tumou Tou” Manado, Monday (18/11/2019).

The Director General of Social Rehabilitation Edi Suharto, Director General of Social Empowerment Pepen Nazaruddin, Director General of Social Protection and Security Harry Hikmat, Head of Social Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Visual Sensory Disabilities “Tumou Tou” Kamsyiati Rotti were accompanied the Minister. There were also the Governor of North Sulawesi Olly Dondokambey and his Staff.

Social Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Visual Sensory Disabilities “Tumou Tou” had provided skill development or entrepreneurship skill for 20 beneficiaries. They had been guided to create a product by using many materials around them.

“The beneficiaries are also being teach to promote a product by online or at the Manado’s souvenir center,” said the Minister. The product which been produced was Cakalang Floss with many flavor variants and Goroho Banana chips.

“Because of huge supply of Cakalang Fish and Goroho Banana and it is the main commodity from North Sulawesi,” said the Minister. BRSPDSN “Tumou Tou” also had create an cooperation agreement with Micro Small Business, Industrial Service of North Sulawesi, and Businesses to promotes the handycraft product of Persons with Visual Sensory Disabilities.


Erase the Discrimination

In his Speech, the Minister admitted that the environment was not ideal for persons with disabilities. “In the public, persons with disabilities is not free from the stigma and discriminations,” said the Minister.

On several cases, the media provided news on the case of persons with disabilities’ neglection, exploitation, and many more. “Between us, there are more persons with disabilities who are not able to fulfill their basic needs,” said the Minister.

There were more of persons with disabilities who could not got into school, work, did not have access of health service, even they did not have any civilian data.

Addressed to this challenge, the Social Affairs Minister ensured that the MoSA would keep strengthened their effort and commitment so that persons with disabilities received their social right and function.

“The Ministry of Social Affairs always make efforts so that persons with disabilities receives the service which they need,” the Minister added. He also committed to guide the President Joko Widodo’s speech on the second periods inauguration, 20 October 2019. It was said that the minister was not only create and do the policy, but also had to make people enjoyed the service.

Because, the limitation of persons with disabilities could be the obstacle on how low their participation, including on the socio-economy activity. “In turn, this will implicate to the increasing poverty number of persons with disabilities,” said the Minister.

Therefore, it needed of right fulfillment in form of social service to eliminate the obstacle so that persons with disabilities would maximize and developed their potency.

The Social Affairs Minister appreciated every step of Technical Implementation Unit on the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation which always provided many innovations in their services. “Such as BRSPDSN “Tumou Tou” which has provided entrepreneurship training through Product Installation toward the beneficiaries,” said the Minister.

Director General of Social Rehabilitation Edi Suharto said that in current time, the Ministry of Social Affairs has 19 Technical Implementation Units, which was Vocational Rehabilitation Office and also Great Hall, Hall and Shop of Social Rehabilitation for Person with Disabilities. All unit in the Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation had the duty to do continuous rehabilitation for persons with disabilities.

Continuous Social Rehabilitation which been done by the Technical Implementation Unit was a Purposed Assistance, Therapy (Spiritual and Mental, Psychosocial, Physics, and Living Therapy), Social care, and Family Support.

In 2019, BRSPDSN “Tumou Tou” had done the main duty which was to provide continuous social rehabilitation to 485 beneficiaries of visual sensory disabilities. “It was in form of therapy activity such as physic, spiritual and mental, psychosocial, living therapy and also outdoor activity,” said Edi.


Acting Head of Public Relations Bureau
The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs
Sonny W Manalu