Recipients of Jaminan Hidup in North Tapanuli Come Under Scrutiny, Data Accused of Missing Targets and Suspected Forgery
The distribution of Jaminan Hidup (living guarantee) assistance for victims of hydrometeorological disasters in North Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, has attracted public scrutiny. Beneficiary data has been deemed inaccurate and is suspected to be rife with manipulation.
According to a Decree from the North Tapanuli Regency Government, 477 household heads were listed as potential aid recipients. However, only 434 households were ultimately realised as Jaminan Hidup recipients.
Scrutiny emerged after village officials, including a village secretary from Sibulan-bulan Village, Purbatua District, appeared on the aid recipient list. This prompted public questions regarding the validity and accuracy of the beneficiary data.
Furthermore, based on circulating data, a village head with initials K.S allegedly received Jaminan Hidup assistance worth 8.1 million rupiah. The name of the Sibulan-bulan Village Secretary also appeared on the recipient list.
Public scrutiny was widely shared via social media. A North Tapanuli resident, M. Nababan, questioned the accuracy of the beneficiary data, stating: “How true is this data? Was this village head actually affected by the disaster to receive assistance? As we know, his house is located in Lobu Sikkam. What damage was actually incurred?”
Similar concerns were raised by a TikTok account holder named Anak Soleh, who questioned why the Sibulan-bulan Village Secretary appeared on the beneficiary list whilst many other residents appeared more deserving. He noted: “Many Sibulan-bulan residents would be more appropriate to receive assistance, yet the village secretary’s house looks very well-maintained.”
Scrutiny also emerged regarding an HKBP Church property in Aek Siansimun Village, Tarutung District, occupied by a pastor with initials H.P.B. The house was reported to be completely destroyed, level with the ground, yet appeared in the data only as slightly damaged and received Jaminan Hidup assistance worth 5.4 million rupiah. A resident, S. Sihombing, stated: “The house was already level with the ground. We hope for housing reconstruction assistance, not merely living guarantee aid.”
In response to the scrutiny, Acting Head of the North Tapanuli Regency Social Services Office, Bontor Hutasoit, explained on Monday (9 March) that Jaminan Hidup distribution was based on BNBA (By Name By Address) data.
According to him, BNBA comprises detailed data containing beneficiary identification, such as name, complete address, national identification number, and the socio-economic conditions of individual or family recipients.
“Jaminan Hidup recipient data originates from BNBA. Regarding why these names appeared as recipients, this can be addressed to the Housing and Settlement Office and BPBD, as the initial data came from them and subsequently formed the basis for the regent’s decree submitted to the Ministry of Social Affairs,” he said.
He also explained that of 477 initial candidates, 43 households were not realised because the BNBA data was deemed invalid by the Ministry of Social Affairs.
“However, we have requested further verification of these 43 data entries. We are awaiting the Ministry of Social Affairs’ decision,” he added.
Meanwhile, the North Tapanuli Regency Housing and Settlement Office, represented by Robert Marbun on behalf of Acting Head Nokman Simanungkalit, stated that their office was not involved in determining Jaminan Hidup recipients.
“We are unaware of the Jaminan Hidup recipient data. Our role is only to verify the number of disaster-affected houses based on reports from village heads,” he said.
Public scrutiny of beneficiary data is hoped to draw regional government attention to conduct comprehensive re-verification, ensuring that assistance truly reaches disaster-affected communities.