1.5 Million Poor People to Receive Aid
Tuesday, 28 February, 2012 | 18:19 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, SURAKARTA:The government will disburse cash assistance to 1.5 million poor people. Social Minister Salim Segaf Al-Jufri said the aid was intended to reduce the social turbulence due to fuel price increases. “The most effective way to help is money,” he said yesterday.

He said the aid would increase people’s purchasing power, which has reduced as a result of the rising prices of basic commodities. Regarding the amount of aid, Salim said it was still being discussed with the House of Representatives (DPR) members. “I hope a decision will be made in several days,” he said yesterday.

The cash assistance will be disbursed as of next April for a period of eight months.

Salim said the aid was not intended to resolve poverty. “To resolve poverty, there’s another way, for instance with the People’s Business Credit or collective group businesses. There are 19 ministries that are managing poverty,” he said.

UKKY PRIMARTANTYO