Indonesian legislators urge better social assistance oversight

Regional legislators in Indonesia are calling for improved management and oversight of social assistance programs to ensure aid reaches the intended recipients and fosters long-term economic stability.

In Garut, DPRD member Yuda Puja Turnawan has urged the Social Affairs Office to conduct re-assessments of poverty data. He emphasized the need for field verification by social assistants to prevent individuals with sufficient economic means from claiming benefits intended for the poor. Turnawan noted that current welfare data requires continuous improvement, as some truly impoverished citizens remain unlisted in national socio-economic databases.

In Central Kalimantan, DPRD member Purdiono expressed support for the central government's plan to open bank accounts for social assistance recipients, viewing it as a way to ensure targeted distribution. However, he stressed that social aid should not be the sole focus; instead, policies should prioritize economic empowerment, job creation, and the utilization of local natural resources through downstreaming and corporate social responsibility to drive sustainable regional growth.