The Social Affairs Ministry of Indonesia has requested an increase in its annual budget to tackle the country’s mounting social challenges. Minister Tri Rismaharini has called for an additional Rp11.58tn ($777.75m) to be added to the budget for 2024, to help compensate for reductions in current programmes. The indicative budget ceiling for the ministry for 2024 stands at Rp77.8tn ($5.22bn), down by roughly Rp350bn ($23.45m) compared to the estimated 2023 budget ceiling. According to the Minister, the increase in funding is necessary to support the Integrated Welfare House (RST) programme and to ensure the ministry’s regional offices can respond promptly to community needs.
The RST programme, which supports the welfare of vulnerable communities, has faced a 50% decrease in its budget for 2024, in contrast to the previous year’s budget. While the previous year’s budget catered to 3,250 families, this year’s budget stands at Rp32bn ($2.14m) and targets aid to 1,500 families. The Social Rehabilitation Assistance (ATENSI) programme, another significant programme designed to support vulnerable individuals, has been reduced from Rp35bn ($2.34m) to Rp23.5bn ($1.57m).
The ATENSI programme is crucial in enabling the ministry’s regional offices to respond promptly to a range of community needs, from providing operational cost aid to individuals and children who have become victims of sexual violence, to other urgent cases. However, the proposed 2024 budget ceiling does not allocate any funding for training and education programmes aimed at empowering communities. The Minister has expressed regret about this, highlighting that such programmes were conducted in 2023, including batik and sewing training for women in Papua.
In response to the reductions in programme budgets, Yandri Susanto, a member of the DPR Commission VIII, has promised the ministry support to secure sufficient funding.
Indonesia faces complex social challenges due to its vast geography and cultural diversity, compounded by socio-economic difficulties that vulnerable communities face. The Ministry of Social Affairs has been playing a crucial role in contributing towards improving the conditions of the most vulnerable groups. The Ministry’s activities range from social rehabilitation and assistance programmes to education and training, among other initiatives, which have had significant impacts on the social well-being of the communities that are being served.
The budget cuts will have an impact on several programmes, potentially reducing the Ministry’s contribution and affecting the social fabric in a time of great need. Therefore, securing adequate funding for the Ministry of Social Affairs will be critical in the upcoming years. To bring inclusive growth to Indonesia and ensure social well-being, policymakers and stakeholders must prioritize the challenges faced by vulnerable communities and take a collaborative approach towards investing in people and communities. In the long run, empowering communities through education, training, and targeted programmes will bring positive social transformation and pave the way for a more prosperous Indonesia.
