Minister of Social Affairs: With Social Assistance, the President Expects the Community to Face the Pandemic

SIMALUNGUN (November 12, 2020) - The government through the Ministry of Social Affairs distributes Cash Social Assistance (BST) for people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To monitor the distribution of BST in the regions, the Minister of Social Affairs conducted a Working Visit in North Sumatra Province. Precisely in the Simalungun Regency area.

A total of 50 Family Beneficiaries (KPM) of BST from Perdagangan Village, Bandar Sub-district were present to disburse BST Phase 8. The aid index amounted to Rp300,000 per KPM. They are part of the 3,099 KPM recipients of BST in Bandar District. Starting today, Simalungun Regency has started the disbursement of 42,045 KPM and will distribute BST Phase 8 through PT Pos Indonesia on a scheduled basis.

"It's not just sharing money. This is because the President does not want to see the people in trouble during the pandemic," said the Minister of Social Affairs. He also reminded the regent and the DPRD to carry out their supervisory functions. "If there are families who are not worthy anymore, they must provide assistance to those who are worthy," he said.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister of Social Affairs did not forget to give orders to carry out health protocols. "Keep wearing masks, washing hands, and avoiding crowds," he ordered. Consistent with the words of the Minister of Social Affairs, the activity at the Karya Murni Meeting Hall was carried out while still adhering to health protocols.

On the same occasion, there was a symbolic handover of Bank Mandiri People's Business Credit (KUR) assistance. Assistance was given to the 2019 Graduation KPM PKH on behalf of Martini. The vegetable trader from Pematang Bandar Sub-district received KUR along with 2 Bank Mandiri agents distributing the Basic Food Program, namely Hendrikson Halomoan Malau from Silimakuta District and Sofiyan from Bosar Maligas District. Both have a basic food shop which has become an e-warong where KPM has disbursed assistance for the Basic Food Program since 2018.

After directly observing the disbursement of BST for KPM present, the group of Minister of Social Affairs headed to BPR Bandar Jaya on Jalan Merdeka, Trade, Simalungun Regency. At that location, the Minister of Social Affairs symbolically handed over assistance to Islamic boarding schools and orphanages. The assistance provided was in the form of basic necessities, facilities for supporting learning activities, and medical devices (PPE).

The Minister of Social Affairs was present accompanied by the Director General of Poverty Handling, Asep Sasa Purnama; Secretary of Poverty Handling Directorate General, Nurul Farijati; Director General of Social Protection and Security, Pepen Nazarudin; Senior Advisor to the Minister of Social Affairs for for Accessibility, Sonny Manalu; and Senior Advisor to the Minister of Social Affairs for Change and Social Dynamics, Adhy Karyono.

Also present at the event were the Regent of Simalungun, Jopinus Ramli Saragih; Regent of Coal, Zahir; Head of Social Office of North Sumatra Province, H. Rozali; Head of Social Office of Simalungun Regency, Easyalam Purba; Director of Network and Financial Services of PT Pos Indonesia, Charles Sitorus; Group Head of Government Project, Nila Mayta D. Rihandjani; Branch Manager of BRI Kanca Trade, Andrie Vitria; and Chairman of the North Sumatra DPRD, Baskami Ginting.