Social Assistance Helps Ex-Seroja Operation Fighter and Warrior

BEKASI (June 16, 2020) - Ministry of Social Affairs through “Forum Komunikasi Putra Putri Purnawirawan dan Putra Putri TNI Polri” or FKPPI (Retirement Communication Forum of Indonesian National Police gave 1,500 packages of basic food social assistance (sembako) consisting of 1,000 food packages of President’s sembako and 500 packages of “Kemensos Hadir” to be distributed to COVID-19 affected communities in Jabodetabek. Today, 300 packages of the President’s sembako which is worth Rp. 600.000/packages is distributed by Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara accompanied by Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto to Figthers/Widows Families of Ex-Operations Seroja and Former East Timor Fighters in Seroja Complex, North Bekasi.

Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara said that his presence on behalf of the President handed over President’s sembako is part of friendly gathering efforts to knit unity among the nation’s children.

“Together, we shall be optimist so that this nation will become a victorious nation, including a winning nation against COVID-19. This is a form of state present in the midst of difficulties and pandemics,” said Juliari.

The Seroja Complex is a settlement provided by the state for East Timorese fighters. Social Minister invites all parties to participate and emulate the spirit of the struggle of the heroes despite the different challenges that we faced now.

“Our challenge today is not only face the pandemic of COVID-19, but we also have to compete with other nations. In terms of economy, science, technology, military and so on,” the Minister said.

On this occasion, Social Minister also explained that the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Directorate General of Social Empowerment oversees matters regarding heroism, pioneering, social solidarity, proposing titles of heroism and pioneers of independence.

Furthermore, the Social Minister visited the houses of people in the Seroja Complex to see firsthand the conditions and daily lives of the people affected by COVID-19.

During his visit to one of resident’ houses, the Ministry of Social Affairs along with the Director General of Social Empowerment visited the house of Sri Mulyani (72) who was lying sick in bed due to diabetes which she had been suffering from. The Social Minister had time to interact with Mrs. Sri who could only talk a little.

Sri Mulyani’s family said, “Mother has been bedridden for a long time due to her illness. Thank you, Mr. President for being given a package of sembako.”

Besides Mrs. Sri, Social Minister also visited the home of Mrs. Salamah (92). Mrs. Salamah who was accompanied by her son had a chance to talk to the Minister of Social Affairs. Mrs. Salamah was very pleased by the visit of the Minister of Social Affairs and said that she is a family of 45 Veteran Fighters.

The Minister of Social Affairs said to Salamah, “This is assistance from the President. He also gives his greeting and hopefully the assistance will be useful,” said Juliari.

“I thank the President and the Minister. Hopefully he will be given health. I am very happy and proud that he cared for the fighter’s family here,” said Mrs. Salamah’s family.

Head of People’s Consultative Assembly, H Bambang Soesatyo as Chairperson of FKPPI State Defense Agency said, “This is a form of the presence of the state with a budget that we always increase for COVID-19 assistance. This is a strong desire from the President to help his people,” he said.

Chairman of FKPPI Board, Ponco Sutowo in his remarks said that, “With a program like sembako, we hope to build unity among us to face all kinds of turmoil that arise in the future. As Indonesian we must maintain the spirit of living together. FKPPI is ready to cooperate with the Ministry of Social Affairs in distributing sembako in various regions.”

Present at the event were Aster Kasad, Aspotdirga Kasau, Kakorbinmas Polri, General Chairperson of FKPPI, Chairperson of PD IX FKPPI of DKI Jakarta, Head of People’s Consultative Assembly H Bambang Soesatyo as Chairperson of FKPPI State Defense Agency, Deputy Mayor of Bekasi.