Legislator Urges Risk Mitigation for Social Aid Distribution via Village Cooperatives

A member of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR), Selly Andriany Gantina, has urged the government to ensure comprehensive readiness, including the validity of the National Single Social and Economic Data (DTSEN) and risk mitigation, in response to the plan to distribute social assistance (bansos) through Village Cooperatives (Koperasi Desa Merah Putih/Kopdes).

Selly stated that while she supports any policy aimed at improving the effectiveness, targeting accuracy, and accountability of social assistance distribution, the government must first address several critical aspects. These include ensuring the validity of DTSEN, the preparedness of Kopdes infrastructure, a robust supervision and accountability system, and mitigation of risks such as distribution delays, irregularities, and local conflicts of interest.

She noted that the policy, which was mentioned by Social Affairs Minister Saifulloh Yusuf, has not yet been formally discussed in a working meeting or hearing with Commission VIII. Selly cautioned that previous well-intentioned transformations in social assistance distribution had been exploited, citing cases of corruption involving cash aid through post offices in Mundu and issues with the distribution of food packages via e-Warongs where the specifications and value were not as intended.

Selly emphasized that any future scheme must be grounded in social protection principles. She reiterated that the House of Representatives has not yet received an official explanation regarding the policy design, legal basis, institutional readiness, or implementation mechanism for the plan, which is targeted for September 2026. She called on the Social Affairs Minister to consult with the relevant commission before any decision is finalised.