Indonesia suspends social assistance for beneficiaries linked to online gambling

The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) has suspended the disbursement of Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) social assistance for 237 beneficiary families in Sumenep, East Java, due to suspected involvement in online gambling transactions.

Data was identified through a system matching beneficiary identities with digital transaction services, including BCA, Bank Mandiri, SeaBank, OVO, and GoPay. Authorities are conducting field verifications to determine if the beneficiaries themselves were involved or if their identities and bank accounts were used by others without permission.

On a broader scale, Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf reported that social assistance distribution for the third quarter of 2026 is ongoing. The ministry has reached over 7 million PKH beneficiaries and over 12 million food assistance (BPNT) beneficiaries. The Minister noted that some beneficiaries have had their assistance redirected or suspended due to various factors, including rising economic status, death, or identification of online gambling transactions.