BP Taskin: Equalising access is key to tackling poverty amid crisis

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the Poverty Alleviation Acceleration Agency (BP Taskin), Budiman Sudjatmiko, stated that equalising access is key to tackling poverty amid the global crisis. He assessed that geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East could pose a serious threat to efforts to reduce poverty rates in Indonesia due to surging energy prices from disruptions to global trade. “Democratisation of money, democratisation of access, and democratisation of assets form the scheme to target poverty reduction to 4.5% by 2029. Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) to Red-White Village/Urban Village Cooperatives become part of that democratisation of access,” he said during a podcast with ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday. He explained that democratisation of money is used to consolidate assets developed by opening access to markets, technology, and knowledge. “The programmes include MBG, village cooperatives, fishing villages, and housing construction for the poor. This is not a one-night job and cannot be judged from a single tweet on social media or a photo,” he stated. “The government can redirect part of the budget to the defence sector to maintain national stability. If that happens, several social programmes that play a role in poverty reduction, such as social assistance or food interventions like MBG, risk being affected,” he said. Escalation of the conflict, he added, could drive up fuel prices, directly impacting living costs for society, especially lower-middle groups. In addition, disruptions to global trade routes could trigger rises in the prices of basic necessities, ultimately increasing the risk of more poor people. “Therefore, to prevent the conflict from escalating, President Prabowo Subianto often undertakes diplomatic trips to various countries on opposing sides of the conflict. Mr Prabowo is trying to bridge so that the conflict does not turn into a brawl,” Budiman said. According to him, the President, as the head of the household, continues to engage in diplomacy to dampen potential conflicts, while building national strength and resilience from within the country. “This is not diplomacy for show, but to douse the flames of conflict so that society remains calm, because if an economic crisis emerges, who will be most affected? Definitely the lower-middle society, like farmers and fishermen,” Budiman said.