Supporting Acceleration of Social Assistance Distribution, PKS Faction Member Asks Regional Government and Himbara to Implement Social Minister's Directions

Semarang (03 September 2021) - Member of Commission VIII KH Buchori asked Himbara, regional government and social facilitators to proactively overcome obstacles in the distribution of social assistance. Buchori, a member of the Prosperous Justice Faction, appreciated Social Minister Risma providing a direct solution in overcoming the complexities of distributing social assistance.

"This meeting chaired by the Social Minister was very useful. The Social Minister immediately gave directions regarding various obstacles in the distribution of social assistance. I asked the relevant parties to be proactive in following up on the Social Minister's notes and evaluations," said Buchori accompanying the Social Minister in Semarang (04/09).

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Himbara, regional governments and facilitators for the Family Hope Program (PKH) and District Social Welfare Workers (TKSK). The meeting discussed the distribution of PKH and Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) in Semarang City, Semarang Regency, Kendal, and Salatiga.

From the evaluation results, many obstacles found in those three parties result in delays of disbursement, blocked cards, undistributed cards, data errors, undistributed account books, inactive e-wallets, beneficiary families (KPM) data changes (died or moving).

Social Minister stated that Law No. 13 of 2011 on Poverty Handling gives regional governments the authority to determine the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS). "Regional government has the authority to determine who deserves assistance and who doesn't. So I ask the regional government to be more active," said the Social Minister.

During the meeting, Social Minister paid attention to the process of PKH Phase II disbursement. There are 2,200 non-transacted KPM in which as many as 1,825 KPM are in Semarang City.

The Social Minister also highlighted the KPM BPNT data in Semarang Regency. In September there were 4,250 KPM that had not been disbursed. "Why is it so big? There is a tendency for large numbers from several months. And this is the largest number I have ever known," said the Social Minister.

According to TKSK's statement, this is because the KPM died or became immigrant workers (TKI) so that the wallet settings failed. On this problem, the Social Minister asked Himbara representatives to immediately reset the settings, which can actually be done shortly.

At the end of the meeting, Buchori said that what the Social Minister said was in line with religious teachings that anyone who facilitates people's affairs will also be facilitated by God.

In addition to ensuring the acceleration of assistance distribution, the Social Minister also greeted and motivated the yatim (fatherless), piatu (motherless), and orphans affected by Covid-19 at the Semarang Regency Hall. The Social Minister also handed over various assistance.

Through the Directorate General of Social Protection and Security, PKH graduation stimulant assistance was provided for two Beneficiary Families (KPM) with IDR 2,500,000 each.

Then social harmony assistance for 2 social harmony forums in Semarang Regency, namely Kalijambe Village, Bringin District, Semarang Regency worth IDR 150,000,000 each, and 2 forums in Lerep Village, Ungaran Barat District, Semarang Regency worth IDR 150,000,000 each.

From the Directorate General of Social Empowerment, entrepreneurship assistance was provided for Karang Taruna (Youth Organizations) in Semarang Regency, namely Karang Taruna Bina Muda (assistance in the form of mini tractors and grass chopping machines) and Karang Taruna Dharma Remaja (Fertilizer Chopping Machines and Fans) with a total assistance of IDR 55.162,000.

As many as 1270 packages of vitamins and masks were also distributed (7 pcs masks and vitamins C, D and Zinc) to 35 regencies/cities in Central Java Province with a total aid of 44,450 packages. Then there were also assistance for strengthening the immune system and preventing Covid-19 for beneficiaries at the Nurul Amal Ambarawa Foundation, Semarang Regency (IDR150,000 each for 100 Beneficiaries ), with a total assistance of IDR 75,000,000. The total assistance from the Directorate General of Social Empowerment amounted to IDR 120,162,000.

The Directorate General of Social Rehabilitation provided assistance through Galih Pakuan Center Bogor, Wyata Guna Center Bandung, Budhi Dharma Center Bekasi, Tan Miyat Center Bekasi, Prof. DR Soeharso Center Surakarta, Kartini Center Temanggung, Melati Center Jakarta, and Satria Center Baturraden. The assistance was in the form of entrepreneurship, business capital (food stalls, welding, and soup stalls, car steam washes, and tools for making doormats), walkers and nutrition, and adaptive canes.

Through the Antasena Children Center Magelang , ATENSI assistance was distributed in the form of savings (for 103 children), nutrition (52 children), basic needs for LKSA (Children Social Welfare Institution) children (307 children) with a total value of Rp405,000,000.

Through the Directorate General for Poverty Handling, social assistance for the Social Rehabilitation of Uninhabitable Houses (RS RTLH) was distributed to 42 KPM in Semarang City with a value of IDR 840.000.000; for 19 KPM in Semarang Regency worth IDR 380,000,000; and for 73 KPM in Kendal Regency worth IDR 1,460,000,000. The total assistance from the RS RTLH reached 134 KPM of IDR 2.680.000.000.