TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A member of the Jakarta Legislative Council's (DPRD) Commission E overseeing public welfare, Merry Hotma, highlighted the capital’s poor data management, in which details on recipients of the social assistance program were inaccurate.

She expressed worries that the distribution of the social aid during the Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) period was not on target.

“We are actually worried over the government’s decision to disburse a huge budget during the current urgent and emergency,” said Merry via a phone call with Tempo on Wednesday, April 22. “Jakarta is very weak in terms of data management.”

Merry was informed that people, who are deemed wealthy as they own cars, received the support. Such cases occurred in North and West Jakarta. However, she stopped short of detailing the area and the number of recipients.

Only the poor and vulnerable people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic who are eligible to obtain the aid. Jakarta administration has been distributing the assistance to 1.2 million targeted people since Thursday, April 9, before the PSBB was effective.

Earlier reports suggested that several residents of Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, returned the social assistance from Jakarta administration as they feel they are not eligible for the help. Toni Hartawan, a resident of Cempaka Putih Barat, Central Jakarta, is also listed among the poor, while he lives in a 286-square-meter house and owns motorized vehicles, including a fancy Brompton bicycle parked in his garage.

LANI DIANA WIJAYA