Ministry of Social Affairs Presents Achievements and Issues in the Social Empowerment Sector

JAKARTA (December 28, 2023) - The Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) presents the achievements and issues in the field of social empowerment in 2023. From the progress of the Nusantara Economic Heroes (PENA) graduation, 3T community empowerment, El Nino BLT, to the issue of social assistance politicization. This was presented directly by Acting Director General of Social Empowerment Beni Sujanto at a discussion with journalists in the 6th Salemba Forum 28 (Forsa28) at the Ministry of Social Affairs Office, Wednesday (28/12).

Beni said that since being led by Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, the policy direction of MoSA is to empower the poor so that they can be independent from social assistance. Minister of Social Affairs sees the phenomenon of many beneficiaries (KPM) in productive age. At least, there are more than 5 million KPM social assistance under the age of 40. For this reason, MoSA implements a comprehensive program scheme and the KPM can be independent and get out of the poverty line.

"The direction of Minister of Social Affairs is to comprehensively implement all programs in the Ministry of Social Affairs that the ultimate success of the people we foster is that they are empowered," said Beni.

PENA, for example. Since its launch at the end of 2022, PENA has succeeded in graduating 10,073 KPM from social assistance. Apart from getting a business stimulus, KPM PENA receives regular assistance from the Ministry of Social Affairs. The goal is to keep the KPM business running. PENA is considered to contribute to reducing extreme poverty.

MoSA also carries out empowerment in 3T areas (least developed, frontier, and outermost regions) and Remote Indigenous Communities (KAT). Throughout 2023, MoSA has installed clean water facilities, solar cells, community centers, and other facilities in several regions in Indonesia. Along with the facilities, the Ministry of Social Affairs provides training and business capital to communities in 3T areas. For example, community groups in Wamena, Papua were given pig, empowerment of weaving groups in Wini NTT, and training in processing marine products in Sebatik, North Kalimantan, and many other areas.

Meanwhile, according to Beni, the most common problem in 3T areas is transportation. To address this, MoSA has distributed e-trail motorcycles to the people of Puncak Jaya and Yahukimo, long boats in Asmat and Membramo, and several other areas. MoSA collaborates with Cenderawasih University, Institute of Technology Sepuluh November, and Telkom Institute of Technology Surabaya in designing special motors for transportation in 3T areas.

Despite the many achievements, Beni admitted that there is still a lot of homework to be done. One of them is KAT empowerment. In 2024, MoSA will map the remote indigenous areas to establish more community centers.

In addition to empowerment, the Directorate General of Social Empowerment is also responsible for distributing regular social assistance, such as sembako (basic necessities), and special social assistance, such as BLT EL Nino. Beni said that the distribution of sembako is almost 100 percent, while BLT EL Nino is in the process of distribution.

Regarding the rampant politicization of social assistance, Beni emphasized that the removal of KPM from the data of social assistance recipients requires procedures so that the community is urged not to be afraid of threats given by individuals against the misuse of social assistance. Beni asked the public, especially the media, to help to monitor so that this abuse of authority can be avoided.

MoSA itself collaborates with various parties, one of which is the Criminal Investigation Police to oversee the distribution of social assistance.

Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs