Ministry of Social Affairs Welcomed Singapore Government Delegates

JAKARTA (July 25, 2019) - The Singapore Government delegation expressed their admiration for the social welfare development system (Kesos) in Indonesia, especially those implemented at the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The Head of Planning Bureau Adhy Karyono said that the three delegations visited the Ministry of Social Affairs on Wednesday in order to exchange ideas and find out more about poverty reduction strategies and efforts to improve the welfare of beneficiaries of various social assistance programs in the Ministry of Social Affairs.

“They expressed their admiration to see how the Family Hope Program (PKH) and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) became an important part in poverty allevation,” said Adhy.

The Singapore Government delegation consisted of Ms. Juliana Kua (Chief Representative & Regional Director, Greater China International Group), Ms. Lee May Gee (Director Policy & Innovation, Director Moments of Life - Families Public Sector Transformation), and Ms. Lee Cher Farn (Director Planning Division Social Policy and Services Group).

Adhy explained that there are three major things that concern the Ministry of Social Affairs in poverty reduction, namely reducing the burden of spending on poor families, how to increase their incomes, and how to eliminate dependence on social assistance.

"The reduction of the poverty burden in the Ministry of Social Affairs includes PKH and BPNT. On the other hand, we have a Joint Business Group (KUBE) and Productive Economic Enterprises (UEP) program to encourage economic independence. Along with that there are facilitators we have prepared to provide assistance so that they truly able to be independent is not dependent on social assistance, "said Adhy.

He added that in the following year, it is expected that LPG and basic food subsidies will start to run integrated with other social assistance.

After the dialogue, the three delegations were accompanied by the Head of the Foreign Cooperation Section of the Planning Bureau Susi Tanjung and the team visited the Social Rehabilitation Center for People with Deaf Sensory Disabilities “Melati” in Bambu Apus, East Jakarta.

Their presence received a warm welcome from the Head of Social Rehabilitation Center and all beneficiaries. They inspected the sewing room, the gallery space for works, and watched the song and dance performance presented by students of the Social Rehabilitation Center for People with Deaf Sensory Disabilities "Melati".

At the end of the event, the delegates wrote their impressions and messages during their visit to the location and received a memento in the form of ceramic decorations by the beneficiaries of the Social Rehabilitation Center for People with Deaf Sensory Disabilities “Melati”.

“We are very impressed with the efforts made by the Indonesian government in integrating a variety of social assistance by utilizing an Integrated Database. We feel that this is a valuable opportunity and we are grateful for the reception and the excellent explanation,” said Cher Farn.

Head of Public Relations Bureau Ministry of Social Affairs RI

Sonny W Manalu