TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Deputy Governor Sandiaga Uno said the poverty rate in Jakarta is the lowest among all provinces in Indonesia.

“The Jakarta’s poverty rate is the lowest among all provinces in Indonesia. However, the poverty declining rate tends to stagnate,” Sandiaga said during the Provincial Work Meeting held at the City Hall on Tuesday, December 12.

Data from the Central Statistics Agency reveals that the number of people living below the poverty line as of March 2017 was 389,690 or accounting for 3.77 percent of the total population.

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Sandiaga pointed out two pillars in empowering the community, as initiated by Bangladeshi Nobel peace prize winner Muhammad Yunus, namely affordable loans for poor people and housewives. The deputy governor added that the loan return rate among housewives is above 90 percent.

“We are with those who have not yet touched by development, those who are being marginalized and poor,” he said. “We are committed to poverty alleviation in order to realize developed, sustainable, and cultivated Jakarta, and the people are willing to participate in realizing justice and prosperity for all.”

Sandiaga suggested that poverty alleviation would involve collaboration and participation of the government, businesses, and people.

“The OK OCE program has created business and employment opportunities for the people,” he said.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI | TD