Hoax! Prabowo abolishes direct cash assistance, family hope programme, and student aid schemes because budget diverted to free nutrition scheme

Jakarta – A Facebook post has circulated claiming that President Prabowo Subianto, along with the Ministry of Social Affairs, has terminated multiple social assistance programmes for citizens.

The post alleges that the government has abolished Direct Cash Assistance (BLT), the Family Hope Programme (PKH), Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT), Indonesia Smart Card (KIP), the Smart Indonesia Programme (PIP), and BPJS health services.

The post further claims that the budget from these programmes has been redirected to fund the Free Nutritious Meal programme (MBG).

The claim reads: “PRESIDENT PRABOWO TOGETHER WITH MINISTRY OF SOCIAL AFFAIRS OFFICIALLY ABOLISHES BLT-PKH-BPNT-BPJS-KIP-PIP. BUDGETS WILL BE DIVERTED TO MBG. 15 MILLION POOR CITIZENS WILL SUFFER GRADUALLY.”

However, has President Prabowo actually terminated programmes such as BLT, PKH, KIP, and PIP because their budgets were redirected to the Free Nutritious Meal programme?

Explanation:

Based on investigation, no official statement has been found from President Prabowo Subianto, the Presidential Palace, or the Ministry of Social Affairs indicating that the government has abolished these social assistance programmes due to budget reallocation to the Free Nutritious Meal programme.

To date, various social assistance programmes remain operational and continue to be distributed to eligible recipients.

The government is instead developing the Single National Socio-Economic Data System (DTSEN) as an integrated database foundation for social protection programmes. DTSEN will replace the Unified Social Welfare Data System (DTKS) starting in 2026.

This data system aims to integrate residents’ socio-economic data more accurately, ensuring social assistance distribution reaches intended beneficiaries more precisely.

Through DTSEN, the government also seeks to prevent duplicate records and strengthen social policy planning at national and regional levels using data based on the National Identity Number (NIK).

Therefore, the claim that President Prabowo has abolished programmes BLT, PKH, KIP, and PIP due to budget reallocation to the Free Nutritious Meal programme is false and misleading information.

Claim: Prabowo abolishes BLT, PKH, KIP, PIP because budget diverted to MBG

Rating: Hoax