Social Affairs Minister Opens Aid Reporting Channel, Citizens Can Contest If Not Yet Registered

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, commonly known as Gus Ipul, has emphasised the importance of accurate data as a benchmark for distributing social assistance to ensure it reaches the right recipients. The Ministry of Social Affairs has now opened reporting channels allowing the public to contest or propose themselves for registration as social assistance beneficiaries.

“This is an excellent opportunity for reflection during this holy month of Ramadan. We can do good in our own ways and according to our abilities, but one important aspect of our duty today is how to present accurate data. I often say, let us ‘strive together to present accurate data,’” said Gus Ipul at the detikcom “Inspirasi Bulan Suci” (Sacred Month Inspiration) event, as reported on Monday, 9 March 2026.

Gus Ipul invited all parties—including civil servants, village officials, regional heads, and the public—to help correct social assistance data. He stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs has opened the Cek Bansos application channel and a command centre to allow the public to contest and propose themselves if they believe they are entitled to social assistance.

“Each of us can participate, anyone can participate, especially journalists, village heads, civil servants, or anyone. Why? Because following the President’s directive, we are opening many channels so that all complaints, aspirations, proposals, and objections from the public can be accommodated, processed, and result in accurate data,” he said.

“The channels are through the Cek Bansos application, there is Command Centre 021 171, and now we have added WhatsApp Lapor Bansos at 08877171171,” Gus Ipul said.

He explained that through the Lapor Bansos application, the public can submit proposals or objections regarding benefit recipients. For example, if someone believes they are entitled to social assistance, they can submit supporting evidence, which will then be verified and validated within a maximum period of three months.

“Through Lapor Bansos, you can submit proposals or objections regarding benefit recipients, or if you want to receive assistance, you can report it there by providing or attaching the necessary evidence. We will then send it to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) for verification and validation, and they will cross-check in the field. Within three months at the latest, we will have an answer on whether your request is approved or rejected,” he said.

This approach is intended to minimise data errors in the social assistance database. There have been instances where data errors have resulted in eligible citizens not receiving assistance they should have received.

“This is the current situation; in the future, social assistance will be fully digitalised. The system will provide direct and automated responses. There are sometimes errors where people are not registered in the system, but by opening these multiple channels, they can now be detected, identified, and entered into the system. That is what we hope for. So some errors will be corrected, some will be registered. Both exclusion errors and inclusion errors can be addressed,” he said.