Politics of 2014 election behind compensation package: Gerindra

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Sun, June 16 2013, 11:33 AM

The Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party’s faction at the House of Representatives says that the four-month temporary direct cash assistance (BLSM) for 15.5 million households has a political motive ahead of elections next year.

“We disagree with the BLSM as it is in reality political in nature ahead of the 2014 elections,” said Gerindra spokesman Fary Djemy Francis in a Budget Committee meeting on Saturday, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Fary said the extending of the social assistance program could lead people to dependence on such aid and the implementation of the policy could even trigger social conflict.

“The BLSM program will only lead to poor people becoming objects of charity, which will eventually impair their ability to think critically and to develop innovative initiatives,” said Fary.

According to him, the success of a poverty-eradication program really depends on whether there are democratic socio-political conditions and ready infrastructure as well as the sustainability of the program and supporting data.

“Therefore, it would be better if the Rp 11.6 trillion (US$1.1 billion) BLSM budget could be used for basic infrastructure improvements in the agriculture, fishery and housing sectors that are related to the livelihood of the people,” said Fary.

Gerindra is one of three factions that have not yet approved several articles in the 2013 revised budget the Budget Committee has drawn up.

The committee approved a BLSM budget of Rp 9.32 trillion for four months, lower by Rp 2.3 trillion than the initial proposal of Rp 11.62 trillion.

Under the program, a total of 15.5 million targeted households will receive Rp 150,000 per month. (ebf)

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