DEPOK (November 2, 2020) - The Ministry of Social Affairs distributed the Social Assistance Fund for Ex-Terrorism and Radicalism Families worth Rp1.2 billion to 80 Ex-Terrorism Convicts (Napiters) spread across eight provinces in Indonesia.

Representing the Minister of Social Affairs, Juliari P. Batubara, Director of Social Protection for Social Disaster Victims (PSKBS), Sunarti, explained that the provision of this assistance was to encourage ex-prison inmates, especially ex-convicts, to carry out their social functions again in the community by starting businesses.

"This is part of the stimulus for psychosocial strengthening for them and their families' economy so that they can return to being in the community comfortably and be able to develop their talents and business," explained Sunarti.

As directed by President Joko Widodo to the Minister of Social Affairs to take part in the handling of ex-convicts, which the Ministry of Social Affairs includes in the group of Former Correctional Inmates (BWBP), it is carried out in synergy and involves various parties.

In addition, said Sunarti, the provision of assistance is also intended to strengthen nationalism for them (ex-convicts) and deradicalization efforts through economic strengthening.

"We are working with the National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) to synergize, one of which is through the identification and recommendation of data from the BNPT to the Ministry of Social Affairs as outlined in the MoU between the Ministry of Social Affairs and BNPT Number 1 of 2018, with one of the objectives to restore the social functions of ex-convicts through providing social assistance to families of ex-terrorism and radicalism," he added.

The provision of social assistance to families of ex-terrorism and radicalism in the form of business capital can then be continued with sustainable social assistance.

One of the beneficiaries, EM (41) said he was happy with the assistance provided by the government because this assistance could be used to start a new life.

"I use this assistance to develop a business selling martabak. Thank God, now I can support my family and return to society," he said.

He really felt the benefits of the assistance he received from the Ministry of Social Affairs and expressed his intention to expand his business to open a branch. "I have capital and want to open a new (branch) so it's easier," he said.

With this assistance, he stated that he could complete his martabak flavor variant so that it would attract more customers, "In the past, because the menu choices were small, only 20 to 30 people bought it. Now, because the menu is getting bigger, I add it, so it increases turnover, buyers can buy it. up to 100 people in a day," he said excitedly.

This father of four children said that his income has increased, from Rp200.000 to Rp300.000, but now every weekend he can receive Rp800.000 to Rp1.000.000.

He said he would no longer be a bother to the country and would help the country as best he could, at least for himself and his family, by developing the economy to meet the family's needs.