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Bansos is the state’s responsibility, Muhaimin says
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Vice-presidential candidate Muhaimin Iskandar greets supporters on Jan. 3, 2024, during a campaign event in Sumedang, West Java. During the event, Muhaimin met with a group of santri (Islamic boarding school students) and prayed for the victims of the Sumedang earthquake. (Antara/Raisan Al Farisi)
Vice presidential candidate Muhaimin “Cak Imin” Iskandar has defended the program to distribute social assistance (Bansos), saying that it is the government’s responsibility to offer a safety net to the poor.
The statement was made in response to Vice President Ma’ruf Amin’s suggestion that Bansos ought to be gradually phased out, amid calls, including from the Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin camp, to postpone its distribution until after the 2024 election to avoid vote buying.
“[The debate about] Bansos is not about whether to continue [the program]; it’s the responsibility of the state to offer help to people in need,” Cak Imin was quoted by Kompas.com as saying at an event in Jombang, East Java on Saturday.
“Bansos is a necessity,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, the chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) explained that funding for Bansos originates from the people, so it belongs to the people.
“So this isn’t about the good will of the nation or the state; it is a responsibility. The people’s money must be returned to the people and no one can claim otherwise,” he said.
Critics have warned about the misuse of the state apparatus, funds and other resources in the upcoming elections, since all election tickets have someone attached to the current government.
Mahfud MD, the running mate of presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo, is the sitting coordinating minister for political, legal and security affairs, while presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto is the defense minister. Meanwhile, Prabowo’s running mate, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s eldest son.
During the debate, outgoing VP Ma’ruf said that he hoped the 2024 state budget would not narrowly focus on Bansos, but would include other programs to empower people in need and eradicate poverty.
“Relying on Bansos is the same as perpetuating poverty, so [we have to think about] how to reduce it little by little,” he said at the Vice Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday.
As an alternative, Ma’ruf suggested that the state instead focus on empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) so they are more prepared to take on the challenges they face.
“MSMEs shouldn’t suffer from persistent stunting. We’ll raise [their living standards] so they no longer have to suffer,” the senior Muslim cleric said.
