Son of Proclamation Figure Sayuti Melik Ill, Social Affairs Minister Provides Temporary Shelter and Medical Care

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf, known as Gus Ipul, has deployed a team to handle the case of Heru Baskoro, the son of Indonesian Proclamation of Independence figure Sayuti Melik, who was ill and living in a rented house in Bekasi, West Java. Heru is now at the Ministry of Social Affairs centre in Bekasi for further treatment. “Oh yes, as soon as we found out, we immediately sent a team there and now he has been brought to our Ministry of Social Affairs centre in Bekasi,” Gus Ipul said at the parliament complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday. Gus Ipul stated that there would be medical rehabilitation to restore Heru’s health. For the time being, Heru is being provided with accommodation at the ministry’s centre. “Of course, he will undergo rehabilitation, medical rehabilitation, and other types that may be needed based on the assessment results. But for now, he is staying at our centre, we are providing assistance, and we will see what the future holds, as this will take time,” he said. Regarding whether Heru will be provided with a permanent residence, Gus Ipul said an assessment will be conducted first. He opened up the possibility of providing housing assistance for the son of the national hero. “Of course, we will carry out an assessment. If assistance needs to be provided, we will provide it, in accordance with all the programmes owned by the Ministry of Social Affairs,” he said. “For the time being, we are preparing temporary housing at our centre, along with medical examinations and so on,” he added. Gus Ipul reiterated the importance of data management to prevent similar cases from recurring. He said data collection will be carried out for all members of the public in need. “Actually, overall, it’s not just the families of heroes. Anyone who needs residential services, we have centres to accommodate them,” he said.