'Cash aid encourages people to be lazy'

Following the Oct. 1 fuel price increases, the government has provided financial assistance of Rp 100,000 a month to poor families to help them weather the pinch of the hike. The Jakarta Post asked residents about the government program.

Chilia, 24, works at a property consultant in Central Jakarta. She lives with her family in Kembangan, West Jakarta.

I don't think the cash assistance program will help the poor because lots of them will just spend the money right away. Beside, it doesn't teach people anything and they will just become dependent on government assistance.

We know the Rp 100,000 is a small amount compared to the fuel price hike, and we also know the character of Indonesians. They will continue to depend on government aid. Next time the government raises prices, they will ask for Rp 200,000 a month.

The government should teach people how to work hard for their money. The government, for instance, could use the money for programs that would help people get jobs and teach them work skills. That would be a lot more useful than giving them cash.

Tarmudin, 28, works at an education consultancy in South Jakarta. He lives with his family in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta.

I really don't understand why the government introduced this cash assistance program. I think it is stupid and useless. They could do so many other things with that money to help the poor.

It is like the government just thinks one or two months ahead. It is clearly a politically driven move. The government probably just wants to head off any protests.

The cash assistance will not be productive because people will just spend the money right away on their daily needs. Second, the program will encourage people to be lazy.

Why doesn't the government create jobs with the money? It could introduce infrastructure projects in slum areas and hire residents to work on the projects.

The Jakarta Post