Juliari Mentions Banten BST is 100% Distributed

CILEGON (May 30, 2020) - Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara reviewed the distribution of Cash Social Assistance (BST) Phase 1 in Serang District, Banten Province.

"Throughout the distribution of BST I reviewed, if one or two of a thousand were not on target, it was natural," said the Minister accompanied by the Secretary of the Directorate General of Poverty Handling Nurul Farijati at the PT Pos Indonesia office in the PGRI Building, Bojonegara District, Serang, Saturday (5/30/2020).

Juliari said that the distribution of BST phase I in Banten Province almost 100 percent, all that was left was to prepare for phase II distribution.

"In Serang, BST is distributed to 110.000 beneficiaries. Meanwhile, in Banten Province it is targeting 400.000 beneficiaries, and 9 million beneficiaries throughout Indonesia, "said the Minister

Regarding who can be the receiver of BST, it is all submitted to regional governments who knows better the conditions of their citizens

"Regional governments are given the freedom to regulate who is entitled to receive social assistance through verification and validation. The Ministry of Social Affairs is assigned with budgeting and delivering, "said the Minister.

On that occasion, BST distributed to 743 beneficiaries in 10 villages, Karang Kepuh, Ukir Sari, Mekarjaya, Lambangsari, Mangkunegara, Kertasana, Bojonegara, Pengarengan, Wanakarta, serta Margagiri.

"The total distribution of BST phase 1 in Bojonegara District is 4,894 beneficiaries covering 11 villages. As of today, it was distributed to 3,923 beneficiaries, "said the Minister

Juliari also warmly greeted a number of beneficiaries who received BST and advised that the social assistance provided can be used to buy basic necessities.

"BST is given 3 months and the President ordered us to continue until December with a nominal reduced to Rp 300 thousand because there will be many other social assistances," said the Minister.

One of the BST recipients, Fathul Arifin, a resident of Ukirsari Village, Bojonegara Subdistrict, said he was surprised to be able to accept BST, which greatly eased the burden during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Alhamdulillah, I could accept the invitation to take BST, but as far as I know, the regional government has taken care of everything. Thank you to the Minister of Social Affairs and the government for taking care of citizens like me, "said Arifin.

A similar thing was expressed by Dayat, 75, a resident of Kampung Kalilanang, Mekarjaya Village, happy to receive social assistance and first learned it from RT/RW.

"I am very grateful to get BST, it really helps my family’s basic necessities because I work odd jobs with non-permanent income. Thank you, government, "said Dayat.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs