Minister: Social Assistance May Expand to Support Threatened Middle Class

Jakarta, VIVA – Minister of Social Affairs, Saifullah Yusuf, stated that he will review the expansion of social aid recipients, with the additional target being the threatened middle-class population.

The minister mentioned that he will collaborate with the Ministry of Manpower to update the data on those eligible to receive social assistance.

"That is also part of it. We need to work with the Ministry of Manpower because there are many things to address in the coming period," Minister Yusuf said in Jakarta on Monday (Sept 30).

However, the Ministry of Social Affairs is striving to take various actions through the data and information center to update our data first, he added.

The minister will also evaluate the social assistance programs to ensure they are distributed effectively and reach the right targets.

"We're currently discussing this. Even though the state budget has been set, we want to re-confirm the targets. These targets may change as the data is dynamic, very dynamic," he remarked.

To get accurate data on social aid recipients, the minister wants the central government to collaborate with regional governments in districts and cities. This way, the data can be synchronized clearly.

"Some may have passed away, or some may no longer qualify for assistance, while others may have fallen into a category that now qualifies them. We are currently synchronizing and discussing this," he concluded.