JAKARTA (August 7, 2019) - For Minister of Social Affairs Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, the retirement period does not mean the end of devotion to the community and the nation. For the Minister of Social Affairs, retirement is still very much needed.

Because, said the Minister, retired workers are senior citizens who are rich in experience, their thoughts are still sharp, still full of enthusiasm, and have virtue (wisdom).

"With such qualities, we who are still in the ministry need their input and thoughts. Please report on any developments or emergence of issues that are important or become problems of the community in their respective environments," said the Minister in his address to the "2019 National Meeting of Retired Social Worker Harmony", in Jakarta, Wednesday (07/08/2019) .

In a broader context, the Minister of Social Affairs encouraged the Social Retirement Harmony (KAPESOS) to continue to take part in the community while continuing his service. "Give the best support and dedication in every level of social welfare development both initiated by the Government and the community," said the Minister.

To the participants of the General Meeting, the Minister of Social Affairs stated, programs and activities oriented to social welfare both targeting members and the general public were important to the attention of KAPESOS.

"This expectation may be excessive, but we believe in the ability and experience as a bureaucrat owned by the board and members it will be easily realized," Social Minister added.

The Social Minister participants of the National Conference reminded the end of RPJMN III (2015-2019), and the government immediately welcomed the RPJMN IV (2020-2024).

According to the Minister, the national development going forward is directed at efforts to realize an independent, advanced, just and prosperous Indonesian society through accelerating development in various fields by emphasizing the building of a solid economic structure based on competitive advantage in various regions supported by qualified and competitive human resources.

"Facing this national development direction, we must all be prepared with various strategic issues such as demographic bonuses, remoteness issues, gender issues, food and energy security, regional disparities, the development of the industrial revolution 4.0, strengthening the values ​​of local wisdom, to efforts to reduce poverty," the Minister added.

The Minister of Social Affairs is proud, the management and all members of KAPESOS consistently contribute to development. Social Minister knows, the real work of KAPESOS in organizing social welfare programs in two important goals. First, the internal KAPESOS with the intention of maintaining and improving the welfare of its members.

Second, the general public to create, maintain and improve the welfare of the Government Social Welfare Services (PPKS). "The two targets certainly have different characteristics of needs and problems so the challenge is how to create programs and activities that are suitable and the benefits are felt by those targets," said the Minister.

According to the Minister of Social Affairs, there are several programs and activities that have been carried out by the KAPESOS management. Among other things, empowerment of potential members, resource extraction, development of cooperation and partnerships, increased intensity and quality of friendship and social solidarity among members.

"I fully support the implementation of this munas. Hopefully it will produce important decisions for the progress of KAPESOS and the community, "said the Minister. The Minister hopes that through the elected management, he will be able to give a new spirit to the implementation of KAPESOS programs and activities in the future without forgetting the established organizational principles.

Social Minister advised KAPESOS to strengthen family ties and synergy between central, regional and commissariat officials. "This meeting is very strategic as a manifestation of the role of sustainable social workers in the context of organizing social welfare," said the Minister.

Also present at the opening of the National Conference were Secretary General Hartono Laras, Inspector General Dadang Iskandar, Director General of Social Empowerment Pepen Nazaruddin, Head of Public Relations Bureau Sonny W. Manalu, Head of Organization and Civil Service Bureau Amin Raharjo, and Head of General Bureau Adi Wahyono.


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