Social Minister Discusses Social Protection Program for Poverty Alleviation

JAKARTA (October 25, 2019) - A day after the handover of position, the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara immediately hold an internal meeting to find out the poverty alleviation programs that have been carried out in the Ministry that he is now leading.

In the presence of Minister of Social Affairs, Director General of Social Protection and Security, Harry Hikmat explained the strategic issues of the Social Protection and Security Program. The programs presented are started by the Family Hope Program (PKH) which is a national priority program under the Directorate of Family Social Security, to the social protection program for victims of natural disasters and social disasters, in which each under the Directorate of Social Protection for Victims of Natural Disaster (PSKBA) and Social Protection for Victims of Social Disaster (PSKBS).

Presenting at the meeting was the Secretary General of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Hartono Laras, ranks of the Expert Staff of the Minister of Social Affairs, Echelon II, Echelon III and Echelon IV officials within the Directorate General of Social Affairs, and also Head of the Planning Bureau, Adhy Karyono.

After listening to the presentation by the Director General, the Minister of Social Affairs gave special attention and direction to the programs that are the focus of Directorate General of Social Protection and Security’s work.

One of the concerns of the Minister of Social Affairs is related to the PKH membership component, which is the education component. The obligation of KPM PKH with this component is the presence of children in school age.

To ensure the continuing education of those KPM PKH children, the Minister hopes that all KPM PKH children will get a Smart Indonesia Card (KIP).

"I hope all PKH children can get KIP. So, they can continue their education", said the Minister of Social Affairs.

According to Directorate General of Social Protection and Security‘s data, 36 percent of PKH children have received KIP.

"For categorization of KIP, children from KPM PKH are still low. It is around 36 percent. This, still becomes a challenge for the Ministry of Social Affairs to ensure that KPM children receive KIP. However, now we have projected that KIP recipients prioritize graduated children from KPM PKH. The data was requested by the Directorate General of Education yesterday to the Ministry of Education and Culture", said the Director General.

Meanwhile, related to the social protection program for victims of natural disasters, Minister of Social Affairs hopes to be able to meet the needs of victims ideally. To achieve these expectations, adequate budgeting is needed.

"Regarding the natural disaster budget, I think, it can be reviewed later. If it is possible, we will revise it. It means we will allocate more with the Planning Bureau. Furthermore, we can convey it later with the DPR. If they do agree, it is likely we have more adequate budget. When we have more mature preparations, we can come to the field more steadily”, Juliari explained.

At the end of the meeting, Juliari invited all Directorate General of Social Protection and Security employees to work harder based on target. "In principle, we ensure that all work programs that we have planned are carried out properly", said Juliari.

Juliari also suggested that it is necessary to make a pilot project towards the improvements made. They do not need to directly make the wider one.

"Hopefully, everyone will keep healthy while doing work. And everything we do is beneficial for many people", said Juliari while concluding the meeting.