VP Orders Data Integration to Tackle Extreme Poverty

VP Ma’ruf Amin leads a meeting for the Acceleration of Extreme Poverty Reduction, in Bandung city, Wednesday (29/9). (Photo: Vice Presidential Secretariat)

In a bid to optimize the Government’s efforts to tackle extreme poverty, Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has emphasized the importance of data synchronization between the Central Government and regional governments.

“The budget is already available. However, the Government must first integrate the data between the Central Government and regional governments so that the assistance can be right on target,” said Ma’ruf during a meeting on the acceleration of extreme poverty reduction in Bandung city, Wednesday (29/09).

Currently, there are seven provinces which become the Government’s priorities in extreme poverty reduction, namely West Java, Central Java, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, West Papua, and Papua.

The Vice President also ordered the synchronization of data be accelerated through joint efforts.

“There are two efforts that we can make to reduce poverty, namely social protection and empowerment. This meeting aims to discuss on issues that must be resolved,” Ma’ruf said.

For the record, West Java province alone has five districts that become priorities in handling extreme poverty. The total number of extreme poor people reached 460,327 people, including in Cianjur regency (90,480 people), Bandung regency (93,480 people), Kuningan regency (69,090 people), Indramayu regency (106,690 people), and Karawang regency (106,780 people).

Ma’ruf also underscored that the Government is committed to increasing the budget allocation that is specifically prioritized for those five districts. For that reason, he ordered Deputy Governor of West Java province and regents in priority areas to ensure data on all extreme poor households so that they can receive all form of assistances. (Vice Presidential Secretariat/UN) (EST/EP)