Hartarto said the payments will be made in October, November, and December 2025, reaching about 140 million people in total.
“The number is higher than the previous BLT (direct cash aid),” he said during a press briefing in Jakarta.
He explained that the new assistance differs from the monthly payments distributed by the Ministry of Social Affairs to 20.88 million families under the Family Hope Program (PKH).
Disbursement of the new cash aid will begin next week through state-owned banks and postal company Pos Indonesia, he added.
Related news: Basic food aid: Rp20.26 trln in cash given to 18.2 mln families
Alongside the cash aid, the government will also open 80,000 additional slots in the National Internship Program in November, expanding opportunities for young job seekers as part of the stimulus.
The first phase, launched earlier this year, included 20,000 participants scheduled to begin their internships on October 20, 2025. With the expansion, the total number of interns will reach 100,000.
Each intern will receive a monthly allowance and be covered by the national social security system, the minister said.
As of October 17, 1,666 companies had registered to offer 26,181 positions, while applications had reached 156,159.
The latest measures form part of President Prabowo Subianto’s fourth economic stimulus package since taking office in October 2024, aimed at sustaining domestic consumption and job creation amid global economic uncertainty.
Related news: Only providing cash aid: Social Affairs Minister
Translator: Mentari Dwi, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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