'I'm not sure the loans will be disbursed fairly'<\/p>\n
Last year, each of the city's 287 subdistricts received Rp 250
\nmillion for a subdistrict empowerment program (PPMK). Despite
\nreports about irregularities in the disbursement of the fund,
\nwhich was managed by the subdistrict council, the administration
\nplans to double the amount this year. The Jakarta Post talked to
\nsome residents about the program.<\/p>\n
Warni, (not her real name), 50, is a sidewalk vendor selling
\nsoft drinks in Petamburan, Central Jakarta. She has four children
\nand lives nearby with her husband:<\/p>\n
My husband and I once received a loan offered by the
\nsubdistrict administration. It was my husband who applied for it
\nthrough a committee established by the subdistrict. After waiting
\nmore than seven months and going through complicated procedures,
\nthe loan was granted. We got about Rp 3 million to develop our
\nfledgling food stall.<\/p>\n
My husband and I managed to pay monthly installments of Rp
\n300,000 for one year, despite the hardship of getting our
\nbusiness off the ground.<\/p>\n
After we had paid back nearly Rp 1.5 million we found out that
\nthe subdistrict official who collected the cash had taken the
\nmoney.<\/p>\n
From then on, I decided to stop making monthly payments
\nbecause it would make no difference paying off a corrupt
\nofficial. Most of our fellow vendors also did the same thing.
\nNobody has asked for the rest of the loan so far.<\/p>\n
Besides, not all of the other vendors have used the loan for
\ntheir businesses. Many of them used the money for other things.<\/p>\n
I think that loans to empower people are very useful to
\nempower low-income earners like me, provided that the money is
\nwell-managed. Unfortunately, not all of us are aware of the
\nbenefits it brings.<\/p>\n
I agree with the city administration's idea to grant more
\nloans for each subdistrict. I'm sure that vendors who receive a
\nloan will keep their promise to make installments regularly.<\/p>\n
However, it is important to first empower the subdistrict
\nofficials so that they have better morals and set a good example
\nfor people to follow.<\/p>\n
Rasudi, 53, sells fried snacks in Kayu Jati market, East
\nJakarta. He lives in Rawamangun Tegalan, East Jakarta, with his
\nwife and four children:<\/p>\n
I haven't heard about loans to help low-income earners like
\nme. Does that mean every resident has the right to apply for a
\nloan?<\/p>\n
If an ordinary vendor like myself was entitled to apply for
\none, I would certainly go for it.<\/p>\n
I think any vendor would be very happy to know about an
\nempowerment fund like that because we realize that we are just
\nselling fried snacks and we lack the adequate capital to develop
\nour business further.<\/p>\n
If my loan was approved, I would be able to branch out in my
\nbusiness, and not just sell fried snacks but perhaps rice as
\nwell. It would be far more profitable.<\/p>\n
I would agree to pay back the loan in monthly installments as
\nset out in the agreement. That would be our responsibility as
\nborrowers, even though we know that it would not be that easy to
\nearn money from our business.<\/p>\n
Anyway, thanks for letting me know about the loan. I will try
\nto find out more so I can ask the subdistrict administration
\nofficials about the chances of getting one.<\/p>\n
Dirjo, 32, is a vendor selling chicken at Ampera market, East
\nJakarta. He lives in Kampung Ambon, East Jakarta with his wife
\nand daughter:<\/p>\n
It's a good idea that the subdistrict administration is
\nextending loans to help empower those who fall within the low-
\nincome bracket.<\/p>\n
However, I'm not interested in applying for one. The fact that
\nmany government officials, including those in the subdistrict,
\nare corrupt makes me feel jaded about any government policy.<\/p>\n
I'm not sure the loans would be disbursed fairly to all
\nresidents in dire need of money. It seems the government never
\nsides with those who earn a low income.<\/p>\n
The residents in my neighborhood once tried to improve the
\ninfrastructure there, but they realized that the subdistrict
\nadministration never cared about the condition of it.<\/p>\n
I'm afraid that any funds given by the government will not end
\nup in the hands of low-income residents to help them run their
\nbusiness due to the corrupt mentality of officials at the lower
\nlevel.<\/p>\n
By keeping that fact in mind, I would rather not rely on a
\nloan from the subdistrict administration. I have to rely on my
\nown finances because I have heard from others that the procedures
\nare quite complicated.<\/p>\n
-- Leo Wahyudi S<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/im-not-sure-the-loans-will-be-disbursed-fairly-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }