"Senior citizens are not a burden to the nation. We want elderly residents to enjoy old age without tears. We want them to smile, not feel abandoned," he remarked during an event marking 2025 National Elderly Day in Jember District, East Java, on Saturday.
Yusuf emphasized that a nation's greatness is reflected in how well it cares for and respects its elderly population.
To that end, he noted that the Ministry of Social Affairs had reached over five million elderly individuals through the Family Hope Program (PKH), approximately eight million through food assistance, and 156,042 through social rehabilitation efforts.
"As instructed by President Prabowo Subianto, we will continue to improve our programs dedicated to aiding economically disadvantaged and abandoned elderly residents," he emphasized.
Yusuf also highlighted that his ministry utilizes the National Integrated Socioeconomic Data (DTSEN) to ensure that all initiatives are measurable and accurate, aligning with Presidential Instruction No. 4 of 2025.
"Our programs are certainly guided by the DTSEN," he stated.
Furthermore, he noted that Jember was selected to host the national celebrations because, according to the DTSEN, the district is home to 415,353 elderly citizens, with 1,723 having received food assistance as of April 2025.
"We are all here not only to celebrate 2025 National Elderly Day but also to reiterate the state's commitment to supporting senior citizens," he remarked.
The celebratory event featured various activities, including a fun walk, a mass exercise, an elderly creativity exhibition, and medical services.
Jember District Head Muhammad Fawait affirmed that Minister Yusuf’s visit was also part of a collaborative effort to address poverty in the region.
“Jember has the second-highest poverty rate in East Java. Therefore, we are eager to work with the Social Affairs Ministry to alleviate poverty,” he affirmed.
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Translator: Zumrotun S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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