“I fight for the country, I fight for the nation. In (doing so), there is political gain, which is being known to people. But if I am asked to use the position for political party’s gain, (I am) not,” Priyono said in a podcast here on Friday.
He explained that the social aid distributed by the ministry is given directly to eligible recipients through Pos Indonesia and state banks, hence there is no chance of the aid being used as a politicking tool.
“The nation’s interests, the state’s interests, must be prioritized higher than political party and group’s interests,” he added.
He said he is committed to dedicating himself solely to programs that benefit the people. This is in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives on fighting against corruption and nepotism.
The President has also highlighted the importance of using data to ensure effective and efficient aid allocation, the deputy minister said.
“I want to call everyone (to contribute), as per the President’s directives in pursuing a prosperous and peaceful nation, (to make sure) everyone smiles, the people (are) happy,” Priyono added.
He then cited National One Data on Socio-Economy (DTSEN), which puts 3 million Indonesians in the extreme poverty category currently.
To achieve the prosperity and peace envisaged by the President, there must be zero extreme poverty by 2026, he said.
One effort to reduce poverty is the Sekolah Rakyat (People’s School), a boarding school initiative that seeks to ensure that children from underprivileged families have the opportunity to access good-quality education.
“Parents of Sekolah Rakyat students will also be empowered through poverty eradication, and their homes renovated. Point is, the state is there for its people,” he stressed.
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Translator: Sean Filo Muhamad, Mecca Yumna Ning Prisie
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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