Gus Ipul Clarifies Photo with Khofifah Over Rp 27 Billion Shoe Distribution to Students of People's School

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, or Gus Ipul, has provided clarification regarding a photo of him with East Java Governor Khofifah while fitting shoes on students at the People’s School (SR). The photo quickly went viral on social media after it was claimed to be linked to a 2025 shoe procurement budget of Rp 27 billion. “On social media, there’s a photo of me giving shoes with Mrs Khofifah; those shoes were given by Mrs Khofifah, not by the Ministry of Social Affairs; it was a special gift from the East Java Governor,” said Gus Ipul during a press conference at the Ministry of Social Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (5/5/2026). Gus Ipul explained that the shoe-giving moment was captured when he attended an event in Malang, East Java, accompanied by Khofifah. Since the shoes were a gift from Khofifah, Gus Ipul said he did not know the quantity involved. He stressed that the shoes did not come from the Ministry of Social Affairs procurement and that the shoe manufacturer had no cooperation with the ministry. “So, to avoid misunderstandings, on social media, even the shoe factory has clarified, ‘I’m not involved,’ and indeed, they are not,” he said. Gus Ipul understands that the photo has become a topic of discussion because it was narrated as a high-value procurement. “To prevent misunderstandings, on social media, what is the photo, what is the programme, so people are confused. This has led to all sorts of slander,” he stated. The items include student PDL shoes, PDH shoes for primary, junior high, and senior high school students, sports shoes (for students and teachers), PDH shoes for teachers, and daily shoes for primary, junior high, and senior high school students. Each student, according to Gus Ipul, receives a total of four pairs of shoes: PDL, PDH, sports, and daily. “Yes, four pairs, don’t get it wrong, for all students, and some for teachers as well,” said Gus Ipul.