President Jokowi Hopes Poverty Rate Can Drop Below 10 Percent

PKH recipients given by President Jokowi, in Dr. Murjani Field, Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Monday (26/3). (Photo: JAY / Public Relations)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo hopes that the implementation of Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) and Family Hope Program (PKH) programs, which have been intensively conducted by the Government in various cities, can significantly reduce poverty.

“I hope the number of poverty rate can be below 10 percent,” President Jokowi said to reporters after submitting KIP, PKH card, and Rastra Food Social Assistance, in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, Monday (26/3).

Based on data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the number of poor people in September 2017 was 10.12 percent or 26.58 million people from total population of Indonesia. However, the figure  has decreased by 0.52 percent compared to that March 2017 at 27.77 million people.

In 2018, President Jokowi has set target of reducing poverty rate by one digit.

Regarding the possibility of increasing budget for the PKH program, President Jokowi said next year the budget will be raised because there are still many families in need, especially for education and child nutrition needs.

President Jokowi stated that in one PKH card there is a fund worth Rp1,890,000.00 which can be taken in several stages:  first stage Rp500,000; second stage Rp500,000; third Rp500,000; and the last stage Rp390.000. President Jokowi also hopes the fund could be used for children educational purpose and nutrition. “Because with good nutrition, our children will be smart and healthy. It is very important,” the President said.

In the meantime, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy in his report said that the recipients of KIP in South Kalimantan Province in 2017 reaches 203,410 students, while the number of KIP recipients in Banjarbaru City are 8,640 students. As for the recipient of PKH, in South Kalimantan there are 115,010 families, while in Banjarbaru City there are 5,446 families.

Also attending the event were Minister of Social Affairs Idrus Marham, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, South Kalimantan Governor H. Sahbirin Noor and Banjarbaru Mayor Nadjmi Adhani. (FID/JAY/ES) (STU/EP/Naster)