Social Assistance Should be Used as Capital, says Jokowi

JAKARTADAILY.ID - President of Indonesia Joko Widodo advised people who received the social assistance or Bansos to use it on additional business capital.

Jokowi delivered his statement during a working visit

Jokowi gave a number of social assistance payments to the beneficiaries in Harjamukti Market in Cirebon City, West Java.

According to him, the social assistance received by the community should be used for business capital instead of buying other goods such as mobile phones.

"What is this [social assistance fund] for? For additional business capital. Remember not to use it to buy mobile phones," said President Jokowi, as quoted by Antara on Wednesday, April 13, 2022.

A woman merchant who received the social assistance agreed with the president's suggestion not to use it to buy things that one already owns.

"No, [I will not buy a mobile phone], sir," said a woman merchant who received the assistance.

The assistance handed over by the president included, among others, the Working Capital Assistance and the Cooking Oil Direct Cash Assistance for the members of the Family Hope Program (PKH).

Apart from distributing the Working Capital Assistance and Direct Cash Assistance, Jokowi also provided similar assistance to street vendors and market merchants.

Several traders who received the assistance expressed their gratitude to the president, adding that they would make the best use of the assistance that they have received.

"[I will use the money] for additional [business] capital. Thank you very much for your help. May you always be healthy, Mr. Jokowi," said a merchant named Masinah.

The same thing was also expressed by Maemunah, a fried snacks seller, who thanked Jokowi for the assistance as she was pleased to meet in person with the president.

"It was my first time seeing Mr. President [in person]. I was so happy, last night I couldn't sleep at all," said Maemunah.

After a working visit to West Java province, the president and his entourage continued their journey to Central Java province by car.