Meeting with Lampung Regent: Gus Ipul Urges PKH Graduation

According to Gus Ipul, the Social Affairs Ministry’s major tasks currently revolve around three main focuses: updating the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN), ensuring targeted distribution of social assistance, and implementing People’s Schools. He stated that, in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto’s instructions, local governments must actively engage in data updating processes from the neighbourhood (RT), community (RW), village, social services, to regent levels.

“President Prabowo said, let’s be honest. It’s fine if the number of poor people increases, as long as they are truly poor. It’s better than pretending the percentage is low when in reality there are many poor people,” said Gus Ipul in his statement on Friday (8/5/2026).

He assessed that regional heads hold a crucial position because they best understand the conditions of their communities. Therefore, he urged local governments to regularly submit data to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) for verification and validation.

“The regent’s key task is to routinely bring data to BPS through the Social Services,” he said.

During the occasion, Head of the Data and Information Centre of the Social Affairs Ministry, Joko Widiarto, outlined the progress of proposals and data updates in the two regencies. In North Lampung, Kotabumi is the area with the highest activity in data proposals and updates. Meanwhile, in West Lampung, Sukau is one of the areas with the most prominent data activity.

Based on Social Affairs Ministry data, the total social assistance for North Lampung in 2025 reached Rp 374.75 billion for 114,981 Beneficiary Families (KPM). In the first quarter of 2026, food assistance was distributed to 77,865 KPM worth Rp 46.71 billion, while the Family Hope Program (PKH) reached 41,559 KPM worth Rp 30.89 billion.

North Lampung also has 174 PKH companions, 17 Disaster Preparedness Youth (Tagana), 18 Sub-district Social Welfare Officers (TKSK), and three social rehabilitation companions.

Meanwhile, the total social assistance for West Lampung in 2025 reached Rp 134.39 billion for 44,395 KPM. In the first quarter of 2026, food assistance was distributed to 28,075 KPM worth Rp 16.84 billion, while PKH reached 14,037 KPM worth Rp 10.17 billion.

West Lampung is supported by 65 PKH companions, 27 Tagana, 15 TKSK, and one social rehabilitation companion.

From this data, Gus Ipul urged local governments and PKH companions to work towards measurable graduation targets. For West Lampung, with 65 PKH companions, he targeted at least around 600 families to graduate each year. For North Lampung, with 174 PKH companions, around 1,700 families are targeted to exit dependency on social assistance each year.

“The regents, we push them. How many families can we help to graduate,” he said.

He emphasised that social assistance must serve as a temporary bridge to enable poor families to become more independent. This aligns with the slogan ‘temporary social assistance, empowered forever’.

In addition to discussing social assistance and data updates, the meeting also touched on the development of the People’s Schools programme. Currently, three pilot People’s Schools are operational in Lampung Province, namely SRMA 32 South Lampung, Integrated People’s School 34 East Lampung, and Integrated People’s School 35 Bandar Lampung. Permanent school construction is underway in South Lampung and East Lampung.

North Lampung and West Lampung have not yet entered the construction phase due to ongoing land administration issues. Gus Ipul affirmed that once the land meets the requirements and receives technical assessment from the Public Works Ministry, the Social Affairs Ministry will guide the process.

“Indeed, our challenge is in providing land. But I want this to move quickly, while the budget is available,” he revealed.

He reiterated that People’s Schools are intended for children from the most impoverished families, especially those who are not attending school, have not started school, have dropped out, or are at risk of dropping out. Therefore, the selection process for prospective students must be free from nepotism.

“So, regents, select the truly poor ones. No corruption, collusion, or nepotism. No recommendations from relatives. We take God’s recommendations,” he concluded.

The meeting was also attended by Director General of Social Empowerment Mira Riyati Kurniasih, Director of Non-Disaster Social Protection Faisal, Head of Data and Information Centre Joko Widiarto, and Head of General Bureau Salahuddin Yahya.

From North Lampung, attendees included Assistant for Government Affairs Mat Soleh, Head of Social Services Imam Hanafi, Head of Housing and Settlement Area Dirgantara, and Protocol Section Head RA Habibie. From West Lampung, attendees included Head of Social Services Aliyurdin, Head of BKAD Sumadi, Head of Public Works and Public Housing Mia Miranda, and Head of Education Tati Sulastri.