Govt Set to Handout Fuel Social Assistance of Rp600,000 This Week

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Social Affairs Minister Tri Rismaharini confirmed that additional social assistance resulting from the reallocation of the fuel subsidy budget will be disbursed to the public starting September 1, 2022. The value of the welfare program reaches Rp24.17 trillion and will be provided in three forms.

“On September 1, [it will be disbursed] in line with the regular social aid,” said Risma after a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo or Jokowi at the State Palace, Monday, August 29, 2022.

The government has been considering raising the prices of subsidized fuel. Tempo received information that the price of Pertalite and Solar will hike between Rp2,000-3,000 per liter from the current price of Rp7,650 per liter and Rp5,150 per liter, respectively.

However, the President has not made an official announcement related to the fuel price hike to date, but instead the social assistance programs. First, direct cash aid of Rp600,000 to 20.65 million families of beneficiaries with a total budget of Rp12.4 trillion. Risma said the payment will be made twice at Rp300,000.

The second program is cash aid of Rp600,000 for 16 million workers who earn a maximum income of Rp3.5 million per month. The government set the budget at Rp9.6 trillion. The third program is the transfer of two percent of the General Allocation Fund (DAU) and Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH) for regional transportation subsidies, motorcycle taxi drivers and fishermen, and other social protection with a total budget of Rp2.17 trillion.

The fuel social assistance will be distributed through PT Pos Indonesia to accelerate distribution. Risma asked the cash aid recipients to spend the fund wisely for basic needs instead of cigarettes or alcoholic drinks.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO 

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