Jakarta – The debt cancellation program for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) initiated by the Indonesian government has received appreciation from various parties. This policy is believed to have a positive impact on the economy, especially for the MSME sector which has been burdened with debt. However, several parties have also warned that this program should not be misused.
Member of Commission VII of the DPR from the Golkar Party Faction, Ilham Permana, said that the policy of writing off MSME debt is a very important step to restore the economic sector most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This program can provide an opportunity for many MSMEs to rise again after experiencing financial difficulties. With debt relief, they can focus more on developing their businesses, creating jobs, and increasing people’s purchasing power.” He explained.
However, he warned against misusing the policy, noting that strict monitoring must be implemented to maintain the program’s effectiveness.
“Don’t let this well-intentioned program be used by irresponsible parties for other purposes. The government needs to ensure that only MSMEs that really need help can take advantage of this policy,” he continued.
The government has announced that this debt relief program only applies to MSMEs that meet certain criteria, such as MSMEs affected by the pandemic and have transparent financial reports. With strict verification, it is hoped that this policy can be right on target and encourage inclusive economic growth.
Appreciation for this policy also came from the association of MSME entrepreneurs. The General Chairperson of the Indonesian MSME Association, Hermawati Setyorinny, said that this government step was very appropriate in providing space for MSMEs to rise.
“For many MSMEs who are struggling due to mounting debt, this debt relief program provides new hope. However, it is important for us to maintain transparency in every process of applying for assistance,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of training and mentoring for MSMEs so that they can make the best use of this policy and avoid potential managerial errors that could harm their businesses.
Previously, the Minister of MSMEs, Maman Abdurrahman, said that the Government would write off the debt bills of 67 thousand MSME group customers throughout Indonesia, with a total value of IDR 2.5 trillion.
He said that this step is the beginning of the Government’s target to write off all debts of 1 million MSMEs of around Rp 14 trillion. “Those that have been written off, there are 1 million MSME entrepreneurs spread throughout Indonesia. To enter the write-off, until today the potential is 67 thousand,” he said.
Although many appreciate this policy, supervision remains key to achieving the goal of debt relief optimally. The government, together with related parties, must continue to ensure that this program provides real benefits to the economy without causing negative impacts in the future.
