By: Doni Wicaksono )*
In an effort to improve public welfare, the government continues to implement various responsive and adaptive policy innovations. One important breakthrough currently being developed is increasing the effectiveness of social assistance (bansos) through integration across ministries and institutions. This strategic step is believed to address various challenges in the distribution of social assistance, which has often been fragmented, overlapping, and poorly targeted.
Cross-ministerial integration in social assistance programs is not merely administrative coordination, but rather a systemic approach that holistically integrates data, programs, and budgeting. Through synergy between ministries and institutions, the government strives to ensure that every rupiah disbursed for social assistance reaches its intended recipients and has a real impact on the lives of beneficiaries.
Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, stated that her ministry continues to encourage digital transformation in social assistance distribution to ensure that government assistance is distributed accurately, quickly, and securely. By continuing to promote digital transformation in social protection programs, the government hopes to create a system that is more responsive to community needs while strengthening Indonesia’s foundation towards a just digital era.
This digital transformation in data management represents significant progress in supporting better social assistance governance. With an integrated system, the government can not only avoid duplication of recipients but also more specifically map community needs, such as those of elderly people without caregivers, abandoned children, families with disabilities, and disaster victims. This makes the distribution of social assistance more equitable, inclusive, and responsive to current situations.
The success of cross-ministerial integration is also evident in the synergy between social assistance programs and economic empowerment programs. For example, recipients of the Family Hope Program (PKH) are also directed to connect with vocational training from the Ministry of Manpower or access capital from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs. Thus, social assistance not only serves as a social safety net but also serves as a stepping stone towards economic independence for recipient families.
Furthermore, close collaboration with local governments is crucial. Local governments play a strategic role in detecting real-world conditions and validating recipient data. The central government is now providing greater space for regional governments to propose periodic instrument improvements and is encouraging the involvement of village and sub-district officials in the factual verification process.
Equally important, this integration of social assistance is also supported by an improved monitoring and evaluation system. Digital technology enables real-time tracking of social assistance distribution and opens up opportunities for public complaints through online channels such as the Cek Bansos application and hotline services. This demonstrates transparency and accountability, in line with the spirit of bureaucratic reform.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, stated that the digitization of social assistance is one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priorities in improving the quality of public services. He also emphasized the importance of synergy across ministries and institutions to accelerate the provision of accurate data and maintain the sustainability of this digitalization project.
Close coordination also creates budget efficiency and accelerates the transformation process. Rather than building separate systems, relevant institutions can utilize a single integrated platform supported by shared data sourced from the national system. This is the epitome of digital governance that is collaborative, efficient, and oriented towards fast and accurate public services.
Furthermore, as part of the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiative, the government is preparing the Perlinsos Portal, a technology-based integrated platform that allows the public to independently verify, register, and manage social assistance. This portal will use digital identity and biometric data to ensure the accuracy of beneficiary information.
The impact of cross-ministerial integration in social assistance distribution is already beginning to be seen. For example, in 2024, the government recorded a significant reduction in extreme poverty rates in various regions, particularly in underdeveloped and 3T (frontier, outermost, and disadvantaged) areas. This is an indicator of success, as social assistance is distributed not only quickly but also effectively.
Of course, there are still challenges to be overcome, such as disparities in digital infrastructure in remote areas or resistance to changes to more modern systems. However, with strong commitment from all ministries and supportWith active community participation, these challenges can be gradually overcome.
Going forward, the government is committed to continuously refining this integrated system, not only for regular social assistance, but also in the context of rapid response to crises, such as pandemics, natural disasters, or economic turmoil. An integrated system enables the government to act more quickly and precisely in providing social protection to affected communities.
With this integrative approach, we can all hope that social assistance in Indonesia will no longer be merely a short-term solution, but will become the foundation for a more resilient, empowered, and prosperous society. Integration across ministries is not just a technocratic strategy, but a concrete manifestation of the spirit of mutual cooperation in state governance.
)* Public policy observer