31,000 PKH Welfare Recipients in DIY Removed Due to Online Gambling Indications
The Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) Social Services has revealed the number of Program Keluarga Harapan (PKH) welfare recipients across the region who have been removed from the distribution list due to indications of online gambling involvement. The number is significant, involving 31,649 citizens, or 17% of the total PKH recipients in DIY.
The Head of DIY Social Services, Suyarno, explained that the data originated from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) and was subsequently forwarded to the Ministry of Social Affairs.
“Across the regencies and cities, the total is 17% of the PKH recipients specifically. Regarding the bank accounts of these welfare recipients, PPATK has flagged indications of online gambling,” Suyarno stated on Tuesday (2/9/2026).
Suyarno shared the Recapitulation of Welfare Recipients with Inappropriate Use as of 31 August 2026. The data details that the number of problematic Beneficiary Families (KPM) reached 17.74% of the total 178,402 PKH recipients in DIY.
Specifically, Gunungkidul holds the highest number with 9,921 recipients indicated for online gambling, representing 20.49% of its 40,418 KPM. This is followed by Sleman with 7,363 indicated recipients (19.26% of 38,229 KPM), and Bantul with 9,216 indicated recipients (17.95% of 51,337 KPM).
In Yogyakarta City, 1,813 recipients were indicated (16.38% of 11,066 KPM), while Kulon Progo recorded 3,336 indicated recipients (11.37% of 29,352 KPM).
“As for the specific names, I have not received them yet; we are still processing this with the Ministry of Social Affairs. We have only requested the specific names as we currently only have the aggregate data,” Suyarno explained.
However, Suyarno noted that the data currently remains as an indication, meaning the bank accounts of the recipients were found to have links to online gambling activities in the PPATK data.
“It is an indication; it could be true or it could be false. For instance, a person might claim they did not participate because someone else borrowed their phone to play online gambling, which then linked to the recipient’s bank account,” he added.
Suyarno stated that while the verification process is ongoing, assistance for recipients categorised as having online gambling indications is temporarily suspended. However, recipients are granted the right to appeal.
“They have the right to appeal, accompanied by evidence, and field officers will also clarify whether the online gambling indication is accurate. The impact is that when an indication is found, the assistance is pending,” said Suyarno.
“There is an appeal mechanism through the Ministry of Social Affairs. This must be accompanied by evidence, such as a certificate from the local village office and other supporting documents to prove that the individual was not involved in online gambling,” he continued.
Suyarno did not deny that these indications could affect elderly welfare recipients. Consequently, the department guarantees assistance from field officers to help facilitate the appeals process.
“We cannot yet precisely separate how many of these are elderly recipients. However, if the individual or their family confirms the issue to the field officers, they will certainly be assisted. They do not have to handle it alone; the existing field officers will provide support,” he concluded.