Jakarta (13/02) - The Indonesian government continues to expand the distribution of non-cash social assistance programs to the community. This expansion is in line with the government's focus on encouraging efforts to expand inclusive finance.
This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Puan Maharani when receiving a visit from the UN Special Envoy, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands at the Kemenko PMK office, Jakarta, Tuesday (13/2).
The visit was intended to discuss inclusive finance and the development of the government's non-cash social assistance program. Previously, Queen Maxima had also visited the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture Office in September 2016.
"Since the first arrival and today, it turns out that Indonesia has made a lot of progress related to inclusive finance. One example is the provision of the Smart Indonesia Card which previously did not exist, now it has become 19,7 million. PKH which previously was 2,4 million is now 10 million, and all are non-cash, that's what he appreciates," said the Coordinating Minister for PMK.
As is known, the expansion of non-cash social assistance currently covers 19,7 million students receiving the Smart Indonesia Card (KIP); 10 million Beneficiary Groups of the Family Hope Program; and 1,2 million Beneficiary Groups of Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT).
This expansion is in accordance with Presidential Regulation Number 63 of 2017 concerning the Distribution of Non-Cash Social Assistance, where the Coordinating Minister for PMK becomes the Chair of the Control Team consisting of Ministers/Heads of related Institutions, including the Governor of BI and the Chair of OJK.
Students receiving KIP will receive assistance of Rp. 450 thousand (elementary school), Rp. 750 thousand (junior high school), and Rp. 1 million (high school) every year. Meanwhile, PKH recipients will receive cash of Rp. 1,89 million every year.
Meanwhile, BPNT beneficiaries will receive assistance of Rp. 110 thousand per month in non-cash form that can be exchanged for rice and eggs through e-warong (electronic mutual cooperation stalls).
"Non-Cash Food Assistance recipients can take rice and eggs at all e-warungs connected to government banks," added the Coordinating Minister for PMK.
In the future, the government will prepare 47 thousand e-warongs that can be used by the public to buy rice and eggs. Regarding this plan, the Coordinating Minister for PMK is coordinating with the Minister of Communication and Informatics.
The Coordinating Minister for PMK, Ratu Maxima also gave appreciation to the inclusive financial program of the Indonesian government which increased 3 times in a relatively short period of time. Ratu Maxima also hopes that inclusive finance in Indonesia will be bigger and simpler than what has been done now.
"Queen Maxima strongly supports inclusive finance in Indonesia. And hopes that in the future, Indonesia as a very large country, can implement inclusive finance more systematically and programmed, there are names and addresses that have clear access, then it can be received by the beneficiaries better," added the Coordinating Minister for PMK.
