“For this year, we have unlisted more than 11,000 beneficiaries in the first quarter and 75 more in the second,” Yusuf told reporters at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta.
Yusuf said the decision followed a data-matching process that identified aid recipients linked to online gambling transactions.
He noted the number of delisted beneficiaries fell sharply from around 600,000 cases recorded last year.
“In short, we are witnessing a significant decline,” the minister said.
However, Yusuf said the government restored aid access for some delisted recipients classified as urgently needing assistance after further verification last year.
“Even so, we warned them not to repeat the mistake. If they do, we will permanently ban them,” he said.
The minister credited Indonesia’s Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center, or PPATK, for providing data that helped authorities ensure aid reached eligible and responsible recipients.
He added the Social Affairs Ministry would submit the latest database from Statistics Indonesia to PPATK for further matching and corrections involving suspected gambling-linked beneficiaries.
Yusuf said most misuse cases involved recipients categorized as poor or extremely poor under government records, while some assistance was also allegedly used by non-beneficiaries.
He said the government would permanently blacklist recipients found deliberately misusing social assistance funds.
The minister said his office would strengthen monitoring and coordinate with regional governments to prevent aid recipients from engaging in online gambling.
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Translator: Fathur R, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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