'Many more people need aid'<\/p>\n
The government raised fuel prices on Oct. 1 after putting into
\nplace a scheme that allocates low-income families Rp 100,000 a
\nmonth to alleviate the extra financial burden they must bear. The
\nJakarta Post asked residents their opinion on the issue.<\/p>\n
Muhammad, 35, is an activist with a non-governmental
\norganization dealing with environmental issues in South Jakarta.
\nHe lives in Depok:<\/p>\n
The cash assistance is politically motivated. It is aimed at
\npreventing people from reacting strongly to the fuel price hikes,
\nwhich of course affect low-income families.<\/p>\n
Ideally, assistance for low-income families would be given
\nthrough poverty eradication programs, because with cash aid
\npeople are not educated to live independently. But in an
\nemergency situation, cash aid is acceptable.<\/p>\n
But I question the way in which the government selected the
\npeople who are eligible for the aid. I look around and see that
\nthere are many poor people not receiving the aid, while other
\npeople who are more financially secure are getting the
\nassistance.<\/p>\n
I hope the government will immediately correct such mistakes.<\/p>\n
Narko, 40, works at a private company in Slipi, West Jakarta.
\nHe lives in Ciputat, Tangerang:<\/p>\n
The cash assistance is better than previous government
\nprograms to assist the poor, like the social safety net. I think
\ncash aid is better and I believe that irregularities in the
\ndistribution of the aid can be minimized.<\/p>\n
The problem is that the number of people receiving the
\nassistance will be relatively small compared to the number of
\npeople badly affected by the fuel price increases.<\/p>\n
I think the government must prepare more assistance so that
\nmore poor families can enjoy the aid.<\/p>\n
-- The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/many-more-people-need-aid-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }