"Social assistance should not be distributed in the form of goods, but money, through banks or post offices, to be right on target and efficient in the distribution process," KPK's deputy chair, Nurul Ghufron, said on Wednesday.
According to him, the recommendation has been provided to cut any chance of corruption and prevent the assistance from becoming a form of money politics.
Ghufron said that the KPK's recommendation on social assistance distribution is based on the latest valid database.
"We have given a recommendation and made a commitment with the government not to open up opportunities for corruption and money politics in providing social assistance to the community," he added.
As part of social assistance, the Indonesian government provided 10 kilograms of rice to 21.3 million beneficiary groups (KPM) in December 2023. The aid was disbursed with the aim of tackling an increase in rice prices, and was distributed in collaboration with the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and state-run logistics company Bulog.
This was followed by the provision of direct cash assistance (BLT) amounting to Rp200 thousand (US$ 12.71) per month to 18.8 million KPM in November and December.
Ghufron further said that elections are needed to ensure that state administration is carried out honestly and fairly because only then can a democracy produce the leaders its people aspire to have.
He invited the public to participate in the election and keep the situation conducive, while leaving no room for corrupt criminal practices.
According to him, the success of the election will determine the future of the Indonesian nation.
"Therefore, KPK must ensure that the election is free from the practice of money politics and conflicts of interest," he said.
The presidential election is scheduled to take place on February 14, 2024. Three presidential-vice presidential candidate pairs are contesting the election — Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka, and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD.
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Translator: Fianda Sjofjan R, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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