Coordinating Minister Muhaimin: Poverty Alleviation Must Be Built Through an Ecosystem

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Abdul Muper Muhaimin Iskandar, stated that poverty alleviation must be built through an ecosystem capable of linking social protection with empowerment, job creation, income enhancement, and the opening of business opportunities for the community.

“Social assistance is only a temporary cushion; social security serves merely as a safety net. The core objective is the independence of the community,” said Minister Muhaimin Iskandar in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

He made these remarks during the “Regional Coordination Meeting for the Optimisation of Poverty Alleviation and the Eradication of Extreme Poverty” in Solo, Central Java.

According to him, the government must continue to socialise a paradigm shift in policy, moving from an orientation focused on social protection towards community empowerment.

To achieve this goal, he emphasised that the government cannot work alone.

“The next step is to strengthen the ecosystem. This is what is important. We must create this ecosystem across various sectors so that it is integrated, involving the industrial world, stakeholders, including philanthropy and universities,” he said.

He noted that the industrial sector plays a vital role in creating jobs and opening new economic access for the people.

Meanwhile, universities are needed to ensure that various empowerment policies and interventions continue to evolve in line with advancements in science and technology.

On the other hand, philanthropic institutions can also serve as strategic partners for the government in reaching those in need.

According to Muhaimin Iskandar, the trust held by philanthropic institutions within the community is a crucial strength for expanding collaboration in poverty reduction.