Ministry of Social Affairs Affirms Shoe Procurement Process Complies with Regulations
Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf, or Gus Ipul, has emphasised that allegations circulating on social media regarding the suspected mark-up of shoe prices for Sekolah Rakyat students are untrue information or hoaxes. This was stated during a press conference at the Ministry of Social Affairs office on Tuesday, 5 May 2026.
“It is not true,” Gus Ipul firmly responded to the narrative deemed to twist facts and potentially create negative perceptions in society.
He explained that the photo circulating on social media, showing him with East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa while distributing shoes to students, was documentation from the Dialog Pilar-Pilar Sosial event across Greater Malang on 2 May 2025.
Those shoes, he continued, were personal aid from Governor Khofifah via the East Java Provincial Government’s APBD, not part of the Ministry of Social Affairs’ procurement.
Gus Ipul stressed that comparing one type of branded shoe circulating on social media with the overall procurement of shoes for Sekolah Rakyat students is inappropriate. According to him, each type of shoe has different functions, specifications, and prices according to the students’ needs.
Nevertheless, he still appreciated public participation in overseeing government programmes. In his view, public oversight is an important part of ensuring accountability in the implementation of social programmes.
As a form of transparency, Gus Ipul outlined that the Rp700,000 figure widely discussed is the budget allocation or maximum limit, not the actual purchase price. The procurement process is conducted through a transparent and competitive mechanism, with winners determined based on the best offers that meet the specified specifications.
In 2025, the procurement of shoes for Sekolah Rakyat students included several types: PDL shoes for outdoor activities, PDH shoes for classroom learning activities, sports shoes, and casual or daily shoes in the dormitory environment. All have been adjusted to the students’ needs and include socks, so as not to create additional burdens.
Besides PDL shoes with a budget allocation of Rp700,000, other types of shoes have lower prices, ranging from Rp200,000 to Rp300,000 according to their respective functions and specifications.
Gus Ipul also reaffirmed his commitment, along with the Ministry of Social Affairs apparatus, to maintaining integrity in every procurement process for goods and services. He assured that there is no intervention in the process and all stages are under supervision and open to audits.
“If there is evidence of deviations, it will certainly be processed according to the law. We would be the first party to report if violations are found,” he emphasised.