Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during the Distribution of Social Assistance in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan Province, October 25, 2022

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Today, we distribute wage subsidy assistance (BSU) and fuel oil cash assistance (BLT BBM). As of today, we have distributed 99.7 percent of the assistance. It is almost 100 percent. We just need to comb through the regions. Then, we also have distributed 72 percent of BSU, and will soon complete the rest.

We hope with this assistance, public consumption and people’s purchasing power can be maintained so it will affect economic growth both in the regions and in the country as a whole.

Journalist
Sir, when will the target of 100 percent be reached?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Later, you can further ask ministers for that matter.

Journalist
Is there any social distribution to unreached areas, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
We are combing through those areas regarding that the areas are hard to reach.

Journalist
Mr. President, can we curb inflation with the assistance since our inflation rate is quite high?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Inflation is controlled by Bank Indonesia (BI) by increasing the BI rate/interest rate. That is the authority of BI. But we, the Government, together with the governors, regents, and mayors are also working on it. The transportation costs of goods that have increased are covered by the Regional Budget (APBD). It will also reduce the increase in the price of goods and services.

Journalist
Using the Regional Budget in what form, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
We allocate two percent of the General Transfer Fund (DTU). Provincial, regency, and municipality governments already know about this. Earlier, I checked the market that the price remains stable, only the price of one item increases, kangkung (water spinach). That’s all.

I thank you.

(RIF/HD/MMB)