Jakarta, Hilton News –
Chairman of the Budget Agency (Banggar) of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia Said Abdullah stated that no party should claim that social assistance programs (bansos) are initiatives or successes of certain groups. The reason is, social aid policies and budgets require DPR approval.
Said said that the social aid policy realized through a number of programs is not just about money. Social aid aims to provide access to health care, so that recipients can be productive and strive for better welfare.
“This is a long process, not enough to be poured by social aid a year ago they became not all poor. I am deeply saddened when the noble technocratic policies of the state are then privatized by Mr. President and some of his ministers, as if their good deeds,” Said said in an official statement on Monday (5/2).
Therefore, Said admitted that he was worried about the surge in the social aid budget reaching Rp496.8 trillion. He recalled, in the era of the Covid-19 pandemic, from the social protection budget of Rp234.33 trillion, the realization of Rp216.59 trillion was achieved.
Said said there is potential for misuse of the budget.
“Currently, the national economic situation has recovered, even since 2022 recognized by the world, Indonesia can recover faster and rise stronger due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Why has the social aid budget soared so drastically, not even involving the Ministry of Social Affairs as its technical ministry?” asked Said.
He hopes that the 2024 State Budget which has been discussed for months can really be kept on purpose, where the State Budget is prepared to drive all development goals, including improving infrastructure, strengthening food and energy independence, to increasing human resources through education, health, and culture.
In particular, Said requested that the social aid program not be used as a political vehicle for the 2024 general election. He reminded that state leaders have their own roles, which do not include taking care of technical social aid issues.
“Let these elections run naturally, as democratically as possible, without the cawe of power. From democratic elections, the winner of the election will have strong legitimacy to lead Indonesia. On the contrary, Indonesia can be excluded from international relations if its democracy fails,” said Said.
On the other hand, social aid recipients are also asked not to worry about being removed from the list of social aid recipients and to remain firm in their respective political stances, where every citizen is sovereign over the political choices of each individual.
Said emphasized that the determination of voting rights was not related to the abolition of social aid programs. Determination of voting rights is a political right of citizens, and receiving social aid is an economic right, both of which are guaranteed by law.
He believes that the social aid program will be right on target and provide optimal benefits for the alleviation of poor households if carried out by technocracies who work according to planning, professionalism, and integrity without certain political tendencies.
“Don’t make our poor people a pretext to dredge up electoral votes, as if it appears like Robin Hood is handing out groceries and cash without careful planning. In fact, such methods will not lift the poor out of poverty, but only make the poor as political vehicles,” said Said.
(rea/rir)
[Image:HN Video]