The government has started distributing Direct Cash Assistance (BLT) for Fuel Oil (BBM) as a form of diversion of fuel subsidies. Minister of Social Affairs (Mensos) Tri Rismaharini emphasized that his party continues to update the Integrated Social Welfare Data (DTKS) to ensure that the distribution of social assistance (bansos) including BLT BBM is right on target.
“In order for the social assistance to be in the right channel, right on target, what we are doing is improving the data itself,” said Risma in a press release from the Ministry of Social Affairs.
Risma said that the Ministry of Social Affairs routinely updates the data every month. In fact, he always issues a new Decree (SK) to ensure the data is kept up to date.
“Not twice a year, but every month, because the data movement is very dynamic,” said Risma
In addition to routinely updating the data, BLT recipients are also proposed and recorded by their respective regions. According to him, the data collection can be carried out because there are village/kelurahan and sub-district officials.
Data collection by the regions, according to Risma, is in accordance with Law Number 13 of 2011 concerning Handling the Poor. In this law, an unregistered poor person can actively register with the lurah/village head. Risma also hopes that data updates can reduce the number of inaccurate BLT recipients.
“If the regions say they (prospective recipients) cannot afford it, they just propose it. But, if they are considered capable, they must be dropped,” he concluded
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board, KH Ahmad Fahrurrozi (Gus Fahrur) explained that BLT BBM may not be able to meet all community needs. However, BLT BBM is the best step the government can take because there are still a lot of people in need. Gus Fahrur also hopes that the transfer of subsidies can be directed to other sectors and invites people to save more.
“The transfer of subsidies is also directed to other sectors such as education, health, the benefits of which can be felt by everyone. People also have to start thrifting and wisely prioritize which one is more important,” he said in a discussion on television stations.
On the same occasion, the Director of the University of Indonesia’s School of Strategic and Global Studies (SKSG), Athor Subroto supported the Government’s efforts to distribute BLT. According to him, the policy is believed to be able to maintain people’s purchasing power, as well as strengthen the confidence of foreign investors in Indonesia.
“BLT will continue to be distributed so that people’s purchasing power remains strong. When investors see the movement of government policies that have been handled from various sides, investors will have more confidence by investing more in Indonesia,” explained Athor in Jakarta.
Athor also explained that BLT BBM cannot be given continuously to the community. This is due to budget constraints, so a more varied approach to subsidy is needed.
