House Commission VIII Monitors Distribution of PKH and Staple Food Social Assistance in Batam
House of Representatives Commission VIII carried out a working visit during the recess period of the third session of the 2025–2026 parliamentary year to Batam City, Riau Islands Province. The visit encompassed reviews of social services, dialogue with local government and social welfare institutions, absorption of public aspirations, and oversight of social assistance distribution.
“This working visit is aimed at strengthening the council’s function, particularly in overseeing the implementation of social welfare programmes in the regions,” said the Head of the Commission VIII Working Visit Team, Marwan Dasopang, in a written statement on Sunday (22/2/2026).
Marwan made the remarks on the sidelines of the working visit which took place on Friday (20/2).
During the occasion, Marwan also expressed his appreciation to the Batam City Social Affairs Office and the Batam City Christian Social Welfare Institutions Association (LKS) for their commitment to serving the community.
“We are grateful to the leadership of the LKS Association and the Head of the Batam City Social Affairs Office who, despite it being a holiday and amidst their busy schedules, remain enthusiastic in carrying out their duties,” he said.
Marwan expressed hope that the visit would provide benefits for improving public welfare.
Meanwhile, Commission VIII also outlined several matters it wished to examine in greater depth, including the background and history of the establishment of social welfare institutions, the main programmes being implemented, performance achievements, and the various obstacles encountered in field operations.
As part of the working visit, Commission VIII also monitored the distribution of social assistance worth Rp75,406,150,000 for the people of Riau Islands Province, encompassing the Family Hope Programme (PKH) and staple food assistance. In Batam City specifically, the total PKH and staple food social assistance distributed reached Rp34,090,600,000.
“The Ministry of Social Affairs continues to strengthen social rehabilitation programmes and protection for vulnerable groups,” said Rachmat Koesnadi, Director of Social Rehabilitation for the Socially Disadvantaged and Victims of Human Trafficking (RSTSKPO) at the Ministry of Social Affairs.
In addition to regular social assistance, the government through the Ministry of Social Affairs also provides attention to other vulnerable groups, including through assistance for the elderly as well as protection guarantees for approximately 14,000 vulnerable workers, such as pancung boat operators, online motorcycle taxi drivers, and rickshaw pullers.
The working visit carried the theme of development in the fields of religion, social affairs, women’s and children’s empowerment, and disaster management. Representatives from the National Zakat Collection Agency, the National Disaster Management Agency, and the Indonesian Waqf Board were also present to strengthen programme synergy whilst directly absorbing public aspirations.
Accompanying Marwan on the working visit were a number of Commission VIII members from various factions and electoral districts, including H. Ansari, H. Muhammad Abdul Azis Sefudin, I Ketut Kariyasa Adyana, Matindas J. Rumambi, Hasan Basri Agus, H. Aprozi Alam, Endro Hermono, Lale Syifaun Nufus, Satori, Maman Imanul Haq, Mohd. Iqbal Romzi, and Zulfikar Achmad.