The issue of social aid distribution has even been substantially revealed since the beginning of the distribution. Some of them were invalid and outdated data collection (DTKS and non-DTKS), politicization by heads of regions, deductions, and illegal levies. Social aid programs, especially direct aid and basic food, were quite prone to various misuses due to the given authority which is quite super power and changes in the procurement of goods and services mechanism which can be done by direct appointment.
Moreover, at that time, the social aid programs were implemented near the time of regional elections, where it was prone to politicization by candidates, especially incumbent candidates. Based on the results of social aid monitoring carried out by ICW together with other civil society, there were at least 239 findings and complaints from the society. There were several findings recorded, including 46 findings of deductions/illegal levies, 43 findings of inclusion error, 23 findings of unreceived aid by the society, 21 findings of double aid, 11 findings of late distribution of aid, 9 findings of politicization, 2 findings of unfit basic food, and other issues/misuses.
The results of watch and allegations of potential misuses were finally proven by the Minister of Social Affairs named as a suspect for his alleged involvement in cutting social aid for society. It was not supposed to happen, considering that during the difficult times of Covid-19 pandemic, amidst many people who lost their livelihoods, work termination, the government aid is one of the hopes for them to survive. Corruption during the pandemic is a cruel act. This was a huge hit.
There were various problem findings and recommendations given by the civil society including the KPK related to data improvement on social aid recipients (DTKS). Therefore, the Ministry of Social Affairs has to collaborate with the Ministry of Home Affairs to resolve disciplinary issues for local governments to update, validate, and verify DTKS. No less important is that the Ministry of Social Affairs, regional governments and village governments must transparently open the information on the detailed budget of social aid, procurement of goods for social aid, types and numbers of social aid, beneficiaries of social aid, and realization of the social aid distribution budget. It is important to periodically convey to the public either through channels owned by the government or others so that together they can watch the implementation of the aid in the future.
In a short term, the aid provided was clearly very beneficial for the society, especially the affected society to be able to survive, meet daily needs and even to again have business capital. Therefore, it is expected that the provided aid can be well received with good social aid management.
Released on West Kalimantan Suara Pemred Newspaper on January 6, 2021 edition