Government reviews economic stimulus through expansion of social assistance

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government through the Ministry of Social Affairs is still reviewing the possibility of expanding social assistance (bansos) in 2026 as part of an economic stimulus scheme amid efficiency policies that address global economic uncertainties due to tensions in the Middle East. Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said that discussions on economic stimulus, including the option of expanding bansos, are currently in the early stages involving simulations and cross-ministerial coordination. “There has been some discussion, but no decision yet. It’s just simulations to provide some kind of economic stimulus. Economic stimulus policies vary, one of which is usually expansion or adding beneficiaries of bansos,” he said in a brief interview after a meeting with the Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Jakarta on Monday. According to him, there has been no policy decision from the president to date; what exists are schemes or initial-stage discussions. As in the previous year, the government through the Ministry of Social Affairs once added social assistance in mid-year and expanded the number of beneficiaries at year-end. During that period, the number of social assistance recipients in the form of direct cash assistance increased from around 18 million beneficiary families to 35 million families covering deciles 1 to 4 of the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN). “So, learning from last year. Whether it will be like that this year, we await the policy from Mr President,” said Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf. Regardless, he assured that regular bansos targeting 18 million beneficiary families will continue as usual. Currently, the government is preparing for the second quarterly distribution period, targeted to start in the third week of April. There are two forms of assistance distributed in this regular bansos programme: Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) worth Rp600,000 per disbursement every quarter and the Family Hope Programme (PKH) with amounts according to the beneficiary components, such as pregnant women, school children, and other vulnerable groups. “Hopefully, it can start distribution in the third week, Insya Allah, hopefully,” he stated.