Misuse of Social Assistance for Online Gambling Decreases, Gus Ipul: Properly Utilised

As many as 75 family welfare beneficiaries (KPM) were removed from social assistance (bansos) recipients in the second quarter of 2026. This number is a sharp decline from the first quarter of 2026, when more than 11,000 KPM were removed. “For 2026, there are more than 11,000 KPM that we removed in the first quarter, and for the second quarter, there are 75 KPM that we removed,” said Gus Ipul in a written statement on Wednesday (13/5/2026). Gus Ipul mentioned this on Tuesday (12/5). Gus Ipul also appreciated the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) for its cooperation in providing information, which has led to a drastic reduction in social assistance misused for online gambling (judol). “Thus, we can provide social assistance to those who need it more and ensure it is used properly,” he said. The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) will continue to coordinate and submit the latest updated data, in collaboration with the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), to PPATK for matching and corrections if there are still KPM involved in online gambling. Furthermore, Gus Ipul emphasised that the removal of social assistance recipients indicated to be involved in online gambling is now permanent. “Last year, we gave some a second chance. Not all, only certain ones after ground checks confirmed they really needed it. But of course, we provide guidance so they don’t repeat it,” he stressed. Gus Ipul stated that the average KPM indicated to be involved in online gambling are in Decile 1 and 2 of the National Socio-Economic Single Data (DTSEN). “Indeed, there are some findings like that, misused by others. If intentional, we draw a red line,” he revealed. Kemensos will continue to monitor the distribution of social assistance in the field, while providing guidance through social companions in the regions and collaborating with local governments.