Boyolali, Central Java (ANTARA) - Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has warned the public not to misuse funds from the Wage Subsidy Assistance (BSU) program for online gambling, stressing that the government has the means to track down those involved in illegal activity.

He said that the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, along with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), has the authority and capability to identify BSU recipients suspected of misusing the funds.

Speaking during an inspection of BSU fund distribution at a Pos Indonesia post office in Boyolali, Central Java, on Friday, Gibran emphasized that the government would not hesitate to take legal action against anyone found abusing the assistance for gambling purposes.

He urged recipients to use the aid wisely for essential or productive expenses, such as school supplies and staple goods.

"I am confident that no one here misuses BSU funds or any other aid for online gambling. Please, keep it this way, ladies and gentlemen. Do not gamble online — whether using your own money or government aid," Gibran told local residents.

The BSU program provides Rp600,000 (over US$36) in assistance for two months to about 15 million workers as part of a broader economic stimulus package aimed at boosting purchasing power.

Deputy Manpower Minister Immanuel Ebenezer, who accompanied Gibran, reported that 86 percent of targeted beneficiaries have received the aid.

Earlier this year, the PPATK revealed that 571,410 social aid recipients across Indonesia are suspected of using aid funds for online gambling. In 2024 alone, those individuals reportedly made 7.5 million transactions, totaling Rp957 billion (nearly US$58.7 million) in gambling deposits.

Related news: Social aid recipients face account closure over gambling
Related news: Ministry tracking recipients using social aid for gambling