LANGKAT (February 20, 2023) - The Ministry of Social Affairs along with Commission VIII DPR RI handed over assistance to beneficiaries in Langkat Regency and Medan City, North Sumatra Province. Langkat Regency Government appreciated the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini for MoSA' assistance.

The presence of Commission VIII DPR RI to two locations in the context of the Recess Working Visit of Commission VIII DPR RI during the III session of the 2022-2023 Session Year. On that occasion, the Director General of Social Empowerment Edi Suharto was present along with 16 delegates from Commission VIII DPR RI, led by Marwan Dasopang.

The Acting Regent of Langkat Regency Syah Afandin expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs. "On behalf of the people of Langkat Regency, we express our appreciation, thanks, and respect to the Minister of Social Affairs. This assistance is meaningful for the people of Langkat Regency," said Afandin, on Monday (20/2).

Afandin expressed his support and hoped that his region would receive assistance from integrated prosperous housing, and Nusantara Economic Heroes (PENA). "We are interested because this program can help improve the welfare of our community," he said.

Legislators who attended the occasion in Langkat Regency supported Afandin's request. In his statement, Dasopang said that the government and the DPR consistently encourage programs that improve people's welfare.

"During recess visits like this, it is an opportunity for people's representatives to ensure that the community can feel the benefits of this assistance," he said.

Dasopang added that Rumah Sejahtera Terpadu (RST) does not just repair uninhabitable houses. However, it also provides business assistance. "The type of business is adjusted to the interests and abilities of the aid recipients," said Dasopang.

According to him, poor people will not necessarily change their economic status just by renovating their houses. However, they can improve their welfare by receiving the provided business assistance.

This is a breakthrough for PENA so that aid recipients do not depend on the Family Hope Program (PKH) social assistance. "After going through the assessment, PKH recipients can accept PENA program and not continue with PKH social assistance," said the people's representative for the North Sumatra II electoral district.

"This is a breakthrough, Mrs. Minister of Social Affairs, Tri Rismaharini. The Minister of Social Affairs is also active in providing immediate response if she finds people who are not registered as aid recipients even though they are eligible. I appreciate the quick steps of the Minister of Social Affairs," said Dasopang.

Moreover, Commission VIII member Bukhori stated that the pandemic had caused society to fall under economic pressure. The government helps people affected by the pandemic with various types of assistance.

Bukhori assesses that social safety net social assistance aims to cushion the economy i.e. increasing their purchasing power amid economic pressure. "Well, social empowerment programs such as business assistance, can improve their welfare in the long term," said Bukhori.

During Commission VIII's recess visit to Langkat Regency, assistance was handed over from the "Darussa'adah" Center in Aceh Besar in the form of ATENSI assistance (children, elderly, vulnerable groups, disabilities) and assistance of three three-wheeled motorbikes. Assistance reached 165 beneficiaries with a total value of IDR214,418,500.

Then, with assistance from the Directorate of Social Security i.e.basic food packages for ten KPM worth IDR2,000,000 each.

In addition, disaster preparedness assistance from the Directorate of Social Protection for Natural Disaster Victims (PSKBA) in the form of 1,000 packages of ready-to-eat food, 400 packages of children's food, 75 packages of kids' ware, 75 packages of family kits, 100 blankets, 100 mattresses, 50 roll-up tents, clothing, 150 packages of babies, 480 packs of sanitary napkins, 7 family tents, and family multi-purpose tents, with total assistance of IDR385,802,800.

Therefore, the total Ministry of Social Affairs assistance for Langkat Regency is IDR602,221,300.

The recess work visit was also attended by the Director of Potential and Social Resources Raden Rasman, the Acting PSKBA Director Adrianus Alla, the Head of the "Bahagia" Center in Medan Iman Imaddudin Hamdan, and the Head of the "Darussa'adah" Center in Aceh Besar Susi Mulyati.


Public Relations Bureau
Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs