Gov’t to Distribute Cash Social Assistance in Fast, Precise, Accountable Manners

Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara delivers his statement after a limited meeting on Tuesday (19/5). (Photo by: PR/Oji)

Minister of Social Affairs Juliari P. Batubara disclosed President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s directive that social assistance distribution should be executed in fast, precise, and accountable manners.

“So these are the three conditions that we have to fulfill. Even though it is not easy, especially the accountability one,” the Minister said in his press statement after a Limited Meeting, Tuesday (19/5).

According to him, Cash Social Assistance is distributed through banks member of the Association of State-owned Banks (Himbara) and State-owned Postal Company PT Pos Indonesia. As many as 750,000 households have received the social assistance.

The Government set its target to distribute the assistance through the postal company to 8,366 million households by this Saturday. “As of yesterday, as many as 3,731 million households (44.5%) have received the first phase of Cash Social Assistance amounting to Rp600,000,” Juliari said.

PT Pos Indonesia, the Minister said, has agreed to open additional payment counters and extend its operating hours until 10 p.m. He also asked that village halls and offices, as well as new outlets, be used for the distribution process while still following the COVID-19 health protocols.

The Minister also informed that several regions have not provided the complete recipients’ data, excluding the data of 8,366 million households. “We have decided to execute the available data, the remaining data will be processed in the second phase,” he concluded. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Mia M. Bonaedy