JAKARTA (9 May 2024) - The Nusantara Economic Heroes (PENA) program promoted by the Ministry of Social Affairs graduated 4,027 Beneficiary Families (KPM) from the social assistance program in April 2024. This number makes KPM who have graduated from the social assistance program from 2023 to April 2024 increased to 25,360 KPM. The KPM has now run various businesses and is no longer dependent on social assistance.

"Today we graduated 4,027 for April. In 2024, the total number of KPM that will be graduated is 15,287. While in 2023, we graduated 10,073 KPM," said Minister of Social Affairs Risma at the Graduation of Nusantara Economic Heroes Beneficiaries for the April 2024 Period held at the Ministry of Social Affairs Office on Wednesday (8/4).

Risma said that PENA is a community empowerment program for poverty. The recipients not only get business capital assistance but also assistance in doing business such as cooking, making cakes, snacks, handicrafts, vocational and packaging assistance, marketing, and financial literacy. 

PENA participants will be graduated or released from receiving assistance if their income is higher than the regency/city minimum wage. "But they will not be released immediately even though their income is already high. They will continue to be assisted for at least four months to ensure that their business is running well," said Minister Risma.

Meanwhile, Deputy for Coordination of Social Welfare Improvement at the Coordinating Ministry for PMK Nunung Nuryanto appreciated the PENA program which helped drive the economy of the KPM environment. "The graduation process is a continuum, creating added value and through this graduation can create new jobs. Congratulations, Minister," said Nunung.

Presidential Staff Office Principal Expert Abraham Wirotomo also supports the PENA graduation efforts by the Ministry of Social Affairs, especially with empowerment programs that involve various communities. "Now the economic growth rate is about 5.9%, we believe that it must be inclusive. This means that this extraordinary growth should not only be enjoyed by certain groups. Community groups, whoever they are, especially those who do not yet have economic capabilities must be supported," said Abraham.