PALEMBANG (08/04/2023) - Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini invited social pillars to become the front guard of Ministry of Social Affairs in handling various social problems.  Social pillars are required to be sensitive and responsive in line with social problems that are developing dynamically and complexly.

Minister of Social Affairs emphasized that social problems have broad dimensions, including natural and non-natural disasters.  There are also social disasters, whose dimensions are no less complex.

Social disasters, including the distribution and addiction of drugs or promiscuity.  “It could be drugs or promiscuity.  Prevent and treat it by providing outreach to the community.  No need for a special meeting.  If you are in the community, teenagers are gathering, come and explain it to them.  "This is our obligation," said Minister of Social Affairs in Palembang (07/04).

As a country known for its high intensity of natural disasters, dissemination and strengthening of public awareness is needed to increase disaster mitigation.  Social pillars are asked to actively educate the public from an early age.  The approach to children can be with games or songs.

“There is a song to socialize about disasters.  'If there is an earthquake, protect your head, if there is an earthquake stay away from the window, if there is an earthquake go under the table, if there is an earthquake run to the field'," said the Minister, in a song tone.

 In the presence of Disaster Response Volunteer (Tagana) personnel, social companions, and peace pioneers, Minister of Social Affairs asked them to actively encourage change in society.  One of them is handling poverty.

Minister of Social Affairs reminded that community productivity faces challenges from childhood.  The phenomenon of gadget addiction is a serious indication of decreased productivity.

“Nowadays, children spend more time playing with gadgets, so they forget about studying.  Instead of playing with gadgets, they should play outside.  "Playing can have a good impact on children's development," she said.

On the next occasion, Minister of Social Affairs met with dozens of PKH human resources.  Present on the occasion were Special Advisor to the Minister for Communications and Mass Media Don Rozano Sigit and Director General of Social Protection and Security Robben Rico.

To the companions, the Minister of Social Affairs reminded them to work sincerely and seriously.  The Minister stated that the beneficiaries handled by the companions were selected people.  "Who wants to be poor? Who wants to be disabled?"  They are entrusted to you.  Here we are lucky.  "Because you can help people without using your own money," she said.

As an extension of the Ministry of Social Affairs, PKH HR has received appropriate professional compensation from the state.  Minister of Social Affairs asked them to work to improve the social functioning of the beneficiaries, working transparently and accountably.

Together with law enforcement officials, Ministry of Social Affairs continues to increase supervision over the management of social assistance.  Minister of Social Affairs invited PKH HR to be part of this monitoring effort.

 "The management of social assistance is now directly monitored by the authorities. I entrust it to the companions here to do everything according to their duties. Don't be weird," she said.

 Minister of Social Affairs asked them to be grateful for the blessings they received.  No need to be tempted by a luxurious lifestyle but perhaps obtained by inappropriate means.

 "Success is not based on how much wealth we get. There is no need to be embarrassed if we take schoolchildren on motorcycles. The measure of success is if the beneficiaries we accompany get out of poverty," she said.

On that occasion, Robben Rico informed that Minister of Social Affairs had included PKH companions in the formation of Government Employees with Work Agreements (PPPK).

"This is a serious effort from Minister Risma, to improve your welfare. So, there is no reason not to work well," said Robben.