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Jakarta Post

Anies promises greater benefits for Jakarta students

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Tue, November 15, 2016

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Anies promises greater benefits for Jakarta students Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Anies Baswedan (left) talks to a resident in Kebon Bawang, North Jakarta. Anies has promised increased support for students to lure voters. (Antara Photo/M Agung Rajasa)

J

akarta gubernatorial candidate Anies Baswedan has promised to upgrade the Jakarta Smart Card (KJP) to a “KJP Plus” in an attempt to earn support from residents ahead of next year's election.

During a campaign event in the Pasar Manggis subdistrict of Setiabudi in South Jakarta, Anies, who rode in on a delman (traditional horse-drawn carriage) together with his wife, said the KJP Plus was aimed at improving residents' social and economic condition in line with his promise to create sustainable development in the city without neglecting welfare.

"Not only are we going to continue the KJP program, we will improve it" he said, drawing applause from dozens of residents.

He promised the current student support program, introduced by then-Jakarta governor Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, would not be terminated. Many residents have expressed concern that, should the incumbent candidate Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama and his running mate Djarot Saiful Hidayat fail to retain their positions, the program will be ended.

(Read also: Two ex-KPK commissioners join Anies-Sandi campaign team)

Anies promised to increase the amount of money disbursed to each card holder. School dropout would also be able to benefit from the program, so that they would have money to join a course, the former education and culture minister added.

Currently, each student from low-income families receives between Rp 200,000 (US$15) and Rp 670,000 per month.

"The recipients of KJP [funds] will also be able to hold the Indonesia Smart Card (KIP)," he said, referring to the nationwide version of the KJP.

Anies has frequently promoted the programs and said most residents he met during his gubernatorial campaign were demanding a governor that pays serious attention to social welfare, particularly with regard to health and education. (fac/jun)

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