'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