Gov’t Tells Regional Leaders to Administer Social Protection Program and Economic Stimulus

Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian. (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat)

The Government urged regional governments to immediately administer social protection program and economic stimulus in order to help people affected by the emergency public activities restriction (PPKM).

The budget can be allocated from the Central Government’s budget or regional revenues.

“There are two assistances. First, social assistance as social protection program. Second, economic stimulus for people and MSMEs affected by emergency PPKM to survive,” Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian said on Saturday (17/07).

Related to social assistance, according to Tito, regional governments are expected to immediately administer the assistance by spending the regular budget allocated to social agencies in each region, adding that, regional governments can also spend their unexpected budget.

Tito also said that in this current pandemic situation, regional governments are expected not to wait for the program from the Central Government.

As long as the distribution of the assistance is carried out professionally and aimed to bring benefit to all people, Tito added, his minister and staffs will support and be responsible for it.

Therefore, Tito asked all regional leaders not hesitate to administer the assistance.

“If there were people who need assistance, (regional governments) have to immediately help them. Do not do mark-ups and the assistance must be right on target to beneficiary people,” he said.

Tito also ordered regional governments to re-allocate their budget to provide social protection and economic stimulus.

“We will coordinate with Minister of Finance as soon as possible. We are trying to issue regulations so that each regional government can reallocate their regional budget for social protection and economic stimulus so that this can be the basis for regional governments not to hesitate in reallocating their regional budget,” he remarked. (RF/UN) (AP/EP)