'Cash assistance won't be effective'<\/p>\n
The government raised fuel prices on Friday after putting in
\nplace a scheme to make cash payments of Rp 100,000 per month to
\npoor families to alleviate the burden. The Jakarta Post talked to
\nsome people about how the government can ensure that the money
\nwill go to those entitled to it.<\/p>\n
Ipung, 30, works for a public relations firm in Kemang, South
\nJakarta. He resides in Cipete, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
I welcome the cash payments for poor people. So far, it seems
\nto be a positive move. As far as I'm concerned, the disbursement
\nhas gone smoothly to date. I saw the police also helping to
\nmonitor the cash payouts.<\/p>\n
So far, I haven't heard anybody complaining about the program.
\nI think the scheme is good as it cuts through the bureaucratic
\nred tape by channeling the money through state postal operator PT
\nPos instead of corrupt officials at the subdistrict up to the
\nmunicipal levels. That's a breakthrough. I believe PT Pos will be
\nable to handle it better than those officials.<\/p>\n
Leo, 35, works for an international charitable organization on
\nJl. Jend. Sudirman, South Jakarta. He resides in Serpong,
\nTangerang.<\/p>\n
Learning from similar programs in the past, I personally feel
\nskeptical that the needy will receive the money. I'm really
\nafraid that the money will fail to reach the targets.<\/p>\n
We can see what happened with similar cash payments of Rp
\n90,000 per family in Aceh province in the aftermath of the
\ntsunami and earthquake. Many rich people also received the money.<\/p>\n
I think it will do more harm than good for poor people.<\/p>\n
Without other programs to empower the people, the cash
\npayments will only make people more consumerist. And the scheme
\nwon't be effective.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cash-assistance-wont-be-effective-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }