Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated that the ongoing distribution of direct cash assistance (BLT) as a diversion of fuel subsidies in several regions had proceeded well.

"It is good. So far, (the distribution process) on site is good," the president stated after handing over the cash assistance to beneficiary recipients in Bandarlampung, Lampung, Saturday.

Before distributing the cash assistance in Lampung, the president earlier distributed the same assistance to residents in Papua Province.

Regarding some reports of direct cash assistance distributed to unqualified residents, the president said that some errors might occur due to the large number of beneficiary recipients reaching 20.6 million.

"With such a large number, it is impossible for us to reach a 100-percent accuracy rate. It is right that there are one, two, or three cases (of inaccurate distribution) because we need to distribute (the benefit) to a large number of recipients," Jokowi remarked.

During the visit to Bandarlampung, the president was accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung and Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia.

Direct fuel cash assistance is one of the forms of the government's social assistance provided to divert the fuel subsidy. Some Rp24.17 trillion (US$1.61 billion) has been set aside by the government for the subsidy.

In addition, during a closed-door meeting on Monday (August 29), the government also agreed on the other two forms of social assistance to divert the fuel subsidy. The first assistance is wage subsidy of Rp600 thousand (US$40.2) for 16 million workers receiving less than Rp3.5 million (US$234.5) wage per month.

The second assistance will be supplied by regional authorities setting aside a portion of the general transfer fund (DTU) for additional social benefits for residents and the regional transportation sector.

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Translator: Rangga Pandu AJ, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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