Indonesia Distributes IDR 20 Trillion in Social Assistance in the First Half of 2025
Jakarta – The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining public purchasing power and strengthening the social safety net through the equitable and targeted distribution of social assistance (bansos). Throughout the first half of 2025, the government has disbursed IDR 20 trillion in social assistance, encompassing various programs designed to reach vulnerable groups and low-income communities throughout Indonesia.
Member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Netty Prasetiyani, supports the government’s plan to provide permanent or perpetual social assistance (bansos) for vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and people with mental disorders (ODGJ).
“We welcome and fully support the government’s plan to provide sustainable social assistance to vulnerable groups. This is a concrete step toward protection,” said Netty.
Netty believes this policy demonstrates the state’s recognition of the basic needs of citizens who cannot meet their needs independently due to their permanent conditions.
Netty also emphasized the importance of monitoring to ensure the program is truly targeted, transparent, and directly addresses the needs of vulnerable communities on the ground. This is because many vulnerable residents remain unregistered or even lack a National Identification Number (NIK), yet they desperately need the government’s help.
“There must be validation and integration of social assistance recipient data involving various parties, from local governments, disability organizations, elderly communities, and local community leaders, so that assistance is targeted appropriately,” she said.
Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment (Menko PM), Muhaimin Iskandar (Cak Imin), stated that people with disabilities, the elderly, and people with mental disorders (ODGJ) would receive permanent social assistance.
“As of today, we have concluded to provide permanent social assistance for people with disabilities, the elderly, and ODGJ,” said Cak Imin.
The distribution of social assistance is aimed at supporting economic recovery. By providing fiscal space for low-income families to meet basic needs without sacrificing other essential expenses, social assistance is a vital instrument in maintaining public consumption, a key driver of domestic economic growth. In various regions, social assistance has proven effective in easing the burden on communities, particularly in the face of rising living costs.
Furthermore, the government ensures that the implementation of this program prioritizes the principles of transparency, accountability, and strict oversight. Collaboration between the central government, regional governments, and internal and external oversight institutions continues to be strengthened to minimize the potential for misuse.
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