The Social Affairs Minister Brings 5 PPKS to Grand Kamala Lagoon: They Will Start Work Today

BEKASI (January 8, 2021) - The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini accompanied by the Director General of Social Rehabilitation, Harry Hikmat personally brought 5 Social Welfare Service Recipients (PPKS) at the "Pangudi Luhur" Training Center in Bekasi to start work at the Grand Kamala Lagoon, Bekasi. Risma opened access to jobs for PPKS, whom she met a few days ago in the DKI Jakarta area.

"Today we accompanied 5 PPKS people who were ready to work and volunteered to work. We gave access to jobs for 5 scavengers we found in various locations yesterday. We have connected with the Grand Kamala Lagoon and God willing, they will start working today," said Risma.

Risma revealed that she found PPKS in several areas in DKI Jakarta. “When I go to work, I will definitely change my departure location every day. Then when I meet displaced residents I must help," said Risma.

These PPKS are M. Faisal who was found at Pasar Baru on January 4, 2021, Roni Adnan who was a referral from the Subang Regency Social Service on January 5, 2021, Muhamad Rohim who was found at Jalan Salemba, Central Jakarta on January 6, 2021, Firman Utina and Irman Yuda who was found at Manggarai Station on January 6, 2021.

Risma said that what she did was a form of her responsibility as a human being. "We are humans. What kind of human am I if I just keep quiet while looking at displaced residents? You don't have to see me as the Minister of Social Affairs, but as a human being who has a responsibility to God," she explained to the media crew when met at the "Pangudi Luhur" Training Center Bekasi.

After meeting with the media, Risma immediately went to the Grand Kamala Lagoon to directly accompany the 5 PPKS who would work. They will be assessed by the Grand Kamala Lagoon, a company managed by the State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) PT. Pembangunan Perumahan (PP) Tbk. They will be placed according to the latest educational background.

"I was informed by the Ministry of Social Affairs that there are disciples from the ministry that we can accommodate, as long as we can help we will do it," explained Rudi, a Representative from PT. PP (Persero).

Rudi explained that the Grand Kamala Lagoon area in Bekasi covers 24 hectares. There are apartments, hotels, and areas that are managed independently by the building management of PP Properti. Therefore, the company needs workers for garden arrangement. "Companies also need building management in apartments, to monitor electricity tokens, for cleaning services. So, we will adjust," he explained.

PPKS Also Need Strategies to Increase Their Income

The Indonesian Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini, said that PPKS is homeless and does not have a job. They need to get help from the Ministry of Social Affairs but are constrained by population identity. "It is difficult for us to process the assistance because most of the PPKS population identities are not clear. Next Wednesday (13/1) we are working with the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide access so that they can get a resident identity. That will make it easier for the Ministry of Social Affairs to provide social assistance to them," she explained.

Furthermore, Risma explained that they would not be able to get out of poverty if they only received assistance. Therefore, the Ministry of Social Affairs will encourage them to be able to access jobs or open businesses from the results of the training provided at the "Pangudi Luhur" Training Center in Bekasi so that their income will increase.

"If they have wives, the Ministry of Social Affairs will turn on other 'engines' so that PPKS wives can open businesses and help increase family income. Yes, the entrepreneurship training at the "Pangudi Luhur" Training Center in Bekasi will be their provision," said Risma.

At the "Pangudi Luhur" Training Center in Bekasi, they will be given entrepreneurial skills such as catfish farming, compost-making skill, hydroponic plant cultivation, and other skills that can provide economic value. The Ministry of Social Affairs will also open restaurants around the center and the workers will be PPKS who have been given skills.

The Center does not only provide social rehabilitation and social empowerment services but must be able to ensure PPKS can be independent, change their ways of thinking, change behavior, and be given training as an aftercare provision.

"The concept is to reduce PPKS spending and the method is by providing social assistance. But there must be additional income so that they get out of poverty," said Risma.

Deputy Mayor of Bekasi, Tri Adhianto Tjahyono also spoke up. He attributed it to the increasing unemployment conditions in the Bekasi area due to the pandemic, its increase has almost reached 10%. "So I think the Ministry of Social Affairs' program is not only moving disadvantaged members of society to one place, but the added value is how to empower them according to their passion, according to their abilities," he said.

Tri added that building this starts with building good, healthy families so how to make Indonesia prosperous I think today will begin. "The Bekasi City Government is very grateful and supports what the Ministry of Social Affairs has done," he concluded.

Risma believes that they can be powerful. "I believe they can. They have suffered for a long time, the Ministry of Social Affairs will also continue to provide assistance to motivate them," concluded Risma.

Public Relations Bureau

The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs