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Ombudsman warns Jokowi to prevent card programs from overlapping
The Indonesian Ombudsman has warned President Joko âJokowiâ Widodo regarding a potential overlap between the presidentâs signature card programs with similar programs in the countryâs regions
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he Indonesian Ombudsman has warnedPresident Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo regarding a potential overlap between thepresident's signature card programs with similar programs in the country's regions.
Earlier this month, Jokowi launched his three signature social-security cards ' the Indonesia Health Card (KIS), Prosperous Family Card (KKS) and Indonesia Smart Card (KIP) ' to cushion the impact of subsidized-fuel price hikes that came into effect on Tuesday.
Ombudsman chairman Danang Girindrawardana said on Saturday that the Ombudsman's initial investigation findings revealed there were around 40 to 60 regions that had similar programs to Jokowi's welfare cards.
'There are around 40 to 60 regions, which is quite a lot, that already have a local insurance system, including Bali, Solo, Yogyakarta and in Jakarta itself. If this is allowed, then the administration would be burdened with two groups of the same expenditure.'
Therefore, the commission asked the president to regulate the card programs in the regions.
'At the central [level, the program] might not be stopped, but in the regions [such programs] must be regulated. National-level policy is higher than local-level policy, so the local-level policy is the one that should be regulated,' said Danang.
He also confirmed that the funds used for the cards were derived from the state budget.
'It is true that the state budget is used for the card funding, not through corporate social responsibility. However, [the research] has not reached the budget post yet,' he added. (ask/dic)
