Social Affairs Minister concerned over surge in aid recipients flagged for online gambling
Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf has expressed concern over a significant surge in the number of Beneficiary Families (KPM) under social assistance programmes whose disbursements have been suspended due to suspected online gambling transactions.
Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday, he revealed that the findings indicating the use of social assistance funds for online gambling were based on data from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK).
“The evaluation results for the second quarter distribution period of 2026 show that 1,494,652 KPM recipients of the basic food aid programme, or those holding basic food cards, have been suspended because they are indicated to be involved in online gambling,” he said.
He explained that the figure for the second quarter of 2026 has more than doubled compared with the 2025 period, which recorded 600,000 KPM.
In addition to the basic food aid programme, suspensions due to online gambling transactions have also affected the Family Hope Programme (PKH), reaching hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries.
“Meanwhile, the number of PKH beneficiaries suspended because they were identified as having engaged in online gambling transactions stands at 794,475 KPM,” he stated.
To address this, the Ministry of Social Affairs is currently conducting intensive tracing and in-depth investigation of the millions of KPM data records indicated to have violated the rules, in cooperation with PPATK, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, other relevant ministries and agencies, and regional government offices.
“Whether intentional or unintentional, or whether the accounts were used by other people, we are truly concerned that accounts are being used for online gambling when these KPM are in dire need of this assistance,” he said.
Nevertheless, Saifullah stressed that the government will not hesitate to take firm action by transferring the assistance rights if KPM are proven to have deliberately used social assistance funds for online gambling. The firm measures of removal and transfer of assistance rights are prioritised for recipients who commit repeated violations following warnings from the previous year.