President Jokowi Encourages Joint Work to Accelerate Extreme Poverty Alleviation Program

President Jokowi accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhadjir Effendy hands over P3KE data to Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono and East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asked his staff to work together in accelerating the extreme poverty alleviation in the country.

The government targets zero percent poverty by 2024.

This was addressed by the President on Thursday (09/29), during a briefing at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) to all ministers, heads of institutions, regional heads, leaders of state-owned enterprises, regional military commanders, regional police chiefs, and the head of the high prosecutor.

“To achieve the target we are aiming for, central and regional areas must work together on the environment, clean water, and all things related regional income,” said the President.

According to the President, data on extreme poverty already exists and is clear by name and address, allowing various extreme poverty alleviation programs to be directed to the appropriate target.

“This is the target, the name and address are clear, the social assistance is directed there, and to repairing slum houses,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated that the extreme poverty rate in Indonesia in March 2022 was 2.04 percent, or 5.59 million people, down from 2.14 percent, or 5.8 million people, in March 2021.

“Efforts are needed to reduce extreme poverty by 1 percent annually from 2020 to 2024, so that it reaches zero percent by 2024. Presidential Instruction number 4 of 2022 assigns 28 ministries/agencies, as well as all local governments, to take steps to accelerate extreme poverty alleviation,” said Luhut.

Furthermore, Luhut stated that the government had established three policy instruments aimed at alleviating extreme poverty.

First, priority areas for extreme poverty alleviation from 2022 to 2024 will be identified.

Second, the availability of data on Targeting for Extreme Poverty Alleviation (P3KE) that is compatible with population data and civil registration.

“The data includes the level of welfare and socioeconomic characteristics, making it easier for central and regional governments to make more precise interventions,” he explained.

Third, general guidelines for P3KE implementation for ministries/agencies and local governments are being developed.

On that occasion, Luhut also emphasized the importance of all parties working together to accelerate the program to alleviate extreme poverty.

“The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs oversees the strategy for alleviating extreme poverty, which consists of reducing the burden of spending and poverty pockets. Meanwhile, the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy is in charge of a revenue-boosting strategy. All of this involves all stakeholders outside of the government,” Luhut explained.

President Jokowi also symbolically handed over P3KE data to Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono and East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa to be used as reference data for the extreme poverty alleviation program during the event. (MAY/RF/UN) (YC/AW/LW)