The President Launches Cooking Oil Cash Assistance in Jambi to Maintain People's Purchasing Power

JAMBI (7 April 2022) - President Joko Widodo accompanied by the first lady, Iriana, made a working visit to Jambi Province. The President was present to launch the Cooking Oil Cash Assistance (BLT) program.

The launching event was carried out by handing over cash to the beneficiaries at the Angso Duo Market. On this occasion, the President had a dialogue with the beneficiaries (KPM) about the benefits of government assistance.

"Assalamualaikum, what do you do, ma’am?" The president asked Leni Haini, one of the beneficiaries.

"I sell crispy fried fish, sir," said Leni.

“What are you going to use the assistance for?” asked the president.                     

“For capital funding, sir.”

The President then greeted all beneficiaries at the event. There were 100 beneficiaries attending the launching event at Angso Duo Market. They received assistance worth IDR 300,000 for each beneficiary.

The President conveyed that the assistance can be used for useful purposes, either for capital funding or buying basic needs including cooking oil whose prices are currently increasing.

Representing the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Social Affairs (MoSA) Harry Hikmat was present to welcome the President's visit. Harry stated that BLT Cooking Oil is the President's policy to reduce public spending amidst rising prices entering the month of Ramadan, including the increase in cooking oil prices.

"This is a buffer to help increase people's purchasing power. So, we are strengthening food assistance for people who meet the requirements," he said.

Harry also stated that BLT Cooking Oil Cash Assistance will reach the target of 20.65 million KPM. They are 18.8 million KPM of Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) and 1.85 million KPM of Family Hope Program (PKH) which have not been registered as BPNT recipients.

"Today the President launched the program in Jambi. BLT Cooking Oil is given in the amount of IDR 100,000/month which is distributed at once in three months (April, May and June). So those people who meet the requirements will receive assistance worth IDR 300,000 in April 2022," said Harry.

This assistance is in addition to the regular social assistance that has been received so far through PKH and BPNT. Other than KPM BPNT and PKH, the government also distributes BLT Cooking Oil to 2.5 million street vendors and food stall entrepreneurs which will be distributed by the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the Indonesian National Police (TNI-Polri).

Harry also added that the President had decided that the distribution of assistance would be distributed in cash through PT Pos Indonesia. "The distribution is carried out by PT Pos Indonesia with the consideration that the previous distributions have made quite good progress. In addition, KPMs who receive cash are also psychologically different from non-cash ones," he said.

Another consideration is that it took time to distribute assistance by Himbara since there are some steps that must be taken.

As directed by the Minister, the Social Rehabilitation Assistance Program (ATENSI) was also handed over to 10 beneficiaries today. The assistance was in the form of a three-wheeled motorbike for two people with disabilities, and prosthetic limbs for one person with a disability. Meanwhile, another disabled person received wheelchair and nutrition assistance, two elderly people received nutritional assistance, and two orphans received ATENSI for orphans and nutrition assistance. The assistance was from Alyatama Center Jambi and was worth IDR 88,910,800.

Moreover, Working Capital Assistance (BMK) was given to 100 beneficiaries in Jambi as directed by the President. It valued IDR 1,500,000/KPM. "That is IDR 1,200,000 directly from the President and IDR 300,000 from MoSA," said the Secretary-General.

Public Relations Bureau

Ministry of Social Affairs