Larger Budget Proposed to Eradicate Poverty

Jakarta - The faction of the Islamic-based Justice and Welfare Party (PKS) asks the government to raise budget to eradicate poverty. At least 27 million Indonesians still live below the poverty line not yet covered by social aid, faction spokesman Abdul Hakim said on Friday. "Until 2013 the government's social assistance could cover only 8 percent of 30.02 million Indonesians living below the poverty line based on data in March 2011," Hakim said. The remaining 27 million people have not got their share of social aid in the form of BLT (direct cash assistance), he added. The government sets aside Rp2.88 trillion for BLT in the draft state budget for 2013 proposed earlier to the House of Representatives. The fund is to be distributed to 2.4 million poor families, leaving 27 million more Indonesian not covered by the program. Hakim said the Law No.13 of 2011 rules priority be given for the eradication of poverty, therefore, the fund for the program should be increased. "Poor people should be given priority in the development program," he said, adding, they need food, clothes, health care and jobs. The government also set aside funds for the program of social empowerment and eradication of poverty. The funds set aside for the eradication of poverty are Rp291.85 billion and in rural areas and Rp133.23 billion in urban areas. Hakim said his faction also asked the government to be more aggressive in the efforts to reduce poverty as the achievement is still far from the target. (*)