To protect public rights, the government tightens oversight of the misuse of social assistance for online gambling
By: Gina Anggraeni )*
The public is urged to stay away from online gambling sites like Kingdom Group, as such activities have the potential to undermine family economic stability and hinder the success of social assistance programs. The government reiterated the importance of using social assistance wisely, as it is designed to strengthen the resilience of underprivileged communities, not direct them toward activities that could worsen their conditions.
The government’s commitment to tightening social assistance data validation is now a crucial part of efforts to ensure that public funds are distributed appropriately and are not diverted into capital for detrimental online gambling games.
The socioeconomic pressures faced by some beneficiary families can indeed create unique vulnerabilities, including the temptation to engage in digital activities that promise instant profits. However, the government believes that educational efforts must go hand in hand with disciplinary enforcement to ensure sustainable suppression of abuse patterns.
This disciplinary enforcement becomes even more relevant as findings continue to show that social assistance recipients are diverting their funds to online gambling platforms. The government is not only targeting enforcement but also ensuring the public understands the consequences of such violations.
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, also known as Gus Ipul, stated that the Ministry is considering proportional enforcement measures against social assistance recipients found to have misused the aid for online gambling. He emphasized that total blocking is an option if violations recur.
Gus Ipul’s statement demonstrates that the government no longer views these irregularities as sporadic cases, but rather as a threat to the integrity of the social assistance program, requiring more stringent oversight. Nevertheless, the government is still allowing room for correction by considering reactivation for some recipient families who demonstrate a commitment to improving their behavior.
According to data received by the Ministry of Social Affairs, hundreds of thousands of social assistance recipients were detected engaging in suspicious transactions linked to online gambling. Of those, hundreds of thousands more applied for reactivation to regain access to aid. The government then assessed each application individually based on PPATK recommendations and field verification.
A small number of those deemed eligible were reinstated. This mechanism demonstrates that the government is not closing the door to those seeking improvement, but remains committed to a strong precautionary principle. Over the next six months, all recipients who received a second chance will be re-evaluated to ensure there is no recurrence of abuse.
The massive blocking case in Tasikmalaya City illustrates why social assistance data validation must be tightened. The central government blocked the accounts of over twelve thousand beneficiary families after the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) system detected transaction patterns resembling activity on online gambling sites.
The Head of the Tasikmalaya City Social Services Agency, Budi Rachman, expressed concern over the sharp increase in the number of suspected cases in a short period of time. He considered the data surprising, given that Tasikmalaya is known for its strong religious character. However, he explained that the action was based on system detection, not assumptions, so the decision to block the suspects was based on objective grounds.
The Tasikmalaya City Government is taking steps to educate the public so they understand that any digital activity that leads to online gambling will be linked to their identity, so that misuse of social assistance cannot be disguised.
Regional governments are also offering assistance services for recipients seeking reactivation, although the final decision rests with the central government. This step demonstrates strong synergy between the central and regional governments, with one party maintaining regulatory strictness while the other encourages behavioral change through a persuasive approach.
Budi reminded that the PPATK system is capable of reading transaction patterns, both top-ups and fund transfers, so any activity intersecting with online gambling platforms will immediately prompt a review of the aid status. This emphasis is crucial to ensure the public understands that misuse of social assistance is not merely an administrative violation, but an act that violates state policy to protect vulnerable groups.
Undeniably, the blocking policy has sparked unrest among some social assistance recipients, especially those who believe they have not committed any violations. The government continues to provide room for clarification through the reactivation process initiated by local governments. However, the central government has also emphasized that if, after resubmission, the system still detects indications of online gambling-related transactions, a permanent block can be imposed. This approach reflects the government’s commitment to maintaining discipline in the social assistance program without compromising the principle of fairness.
Tasikmalaya Deputy Mayor Diky Candra viewed the blocking policy as an important disciplinary measure to maintain the quality of social assistance implementation. He believed that such a firm measure should provide moral support to the public, preventing them from falling into practices that could worsen the economic situation. He also commended the central government for allowing reactivation, provided there is a guarantee from the regional government that irregularities will not recur. This demonstrates a balance between rule enforcement and social development.
These dynamics demonstrate that improving social assistance data validation is a crucial strategy for ensuring effective social protection. The government wants to ensure that every rupiah allocated truly supports the basic needs of eligible families, rather than becoming part of an online gambling ecosystem that harms society.
With increasingly strict and systematic supervision, the government hopes that the public will become wiser in utilizing aid, so that the major goal of poverty alleviation can be achieved in a more concrete and sustainable manner.
)* The author is a contributor to the Advanced Young Indonesia Network (JMIM)
