'Cash assistance won't be effective'

'Cash assistance won't be effective'

The government raised fuel prices on Friday after putting in
place a scheme to make cash payments of Rp 100,000 per month to
poor families to alleviate the burden. The Jakarta Post talked to
some people about how the government can ensure that the money
will go to those entitled to it.

Ipung, 30, works for a public relations firm in Kemang, South
Jakarta. He resides in Cipete, South Jakarta.

I welcome the cash payments for poor people. So far, it seems
to be a positive move. As far as I'm concerned, the disbursement
has gone smoothly to date. I saw the police also helping to
monitor the cash payouts.

So far, I haven't heard anybody complaining about the program.
I think the scheme is good as it cuts through the bureaucratic
red tape by channeling the money through state postal operator PT
Pos instead of corrupt officials at the subdistrict up to the
municipal levels. That's a breakthrough. I believe PT Pos will be
able to handle it better than those officials.

Leo, 35, works for an international charitable organization on
Jl. Jend. Sudirman, South Jakarta. He resides in Serpong,
Tangerang.

Learning from similar programs in the past, I personally feel
skeptical that the needy will receive the money. I'm really
afraid that the money will fail to reach the targets.

We can see what happened with similar cash payments of Rp
90,000 per family in Aceh province in the aftermath of the
tsunami and earthquake. Many rich people also received the money.

I think it will do more harm than good for poor people.

Without other programs to empower the people, the cash
payments will only make people more consumerist. And the scheme
won't be effective.

-- The Jakarta Post