Social Affairs Minister removes 11,000 social aid recipients suspected of online gambling in first quarter
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf has removed more than 11,000 beneficiary families (KPM) of social assistance suspected of using the funds for online gambling in the first quarter of 2026.
“For 2026, there are more than 11,000 that we have removed in the first quarter, and for the second quarter, there are 75 KPM that we have removed,” said the man familiarly known as Gus Ipul at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Gus Ipul stated that all the social aid recipients removed were suspected of being involved in online gambling based on data matching results.
“The conclusion is that there has been an extraordinary decline. From 600,000 down to 11,000, and the 11,000 have already been removed in the first quarter. In the second quarter, only 75 families or KPM remain, and they have also been removed,” he said.
Last year, the government gave some previously removed social aid recipients a chance to receive assistance again after field checks deemed them still in need of social support.
However, he emphasised that social aid recipients who are again suspected of online gambling will be permanently removed.
“Last year, we gave them one more chance. Not all of them, only certain parties after cross-checking showed they really needed it. But of course, we provide accompaniment so they don’t repeat it. If they repeat, we will remove them forever,” said Gus Ipul.
On that occasion, Gus Ipul appreciated the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (PPATK) for providing good information, enabling the ministry to deliver social aid to those who need it more and use it properly.
He noted that the majority of social aid recipients suspected of online gambling come from decile one and two groups. Additionally, there are several cases where social assistance is used by parties other than the beneficiaries.
“For now, it’s in deciles one and two, and there are indeed many findings. Not many, just some findings where it’s used by others. There are those used by others. If intentional, we draw a red line,” said Gus Ipul.
Gus Ipul added that the Ministry of Social Affairs is also continuously conducting supervision and accompaniment through social companions in various regions, involving local governments to prevent social assistance from being used for online gambling.
“We are certainly monitoring and at the same time providing accompaniment through the companions we have in every region, working together with local governments,” he said.