Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – President Joko Widodo made a working visit to 3 provinces on the island of Sumatra from 25 – 27 October. From each province visited, Jokowi promised the community that he would provide rice assistance until 2024.

The program to provide 10 kilograms of rice food assistance from the government started last September to reduce the impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon, which was supposed to end in November.

While in West Sumatra, Wednesday (25/10/2023), Jokowi visited the New East Rawang Bulog Warehouse, Padang City. During the visit he saw that the government’s rice reserves were abundant.

“Actually, there is a surplus in West Sumatra Province, but whatever is called (rice) reserves, there must be. Therefore, if we looked at the Bulog warehouse, there are a lot of (rice) reserves,” said Jokowi, citing information.

On that occasion he also provided food assistance from government rice reserves to beneficiary families. Where he also ensured that KPM would receive assistance three times.

Not only until November, but Jokowi explained that the government had decided to increase CBP food assistance in December.

“And we will add another one in December, our decision once again (to provide food aid),” he continued.

Apart from that, the government is also preparing a scheme to provide El Niño direct cash assistance (BLT) to the community, amounting to IDR 200 thousand which will be given in November and December 2023. This is intended to maintain people’s purchasing power amidst the super El Nino phenomenon that is occurring.

In South Sumatra Province, Jokowi also visited the Bulog Warehouse in Sukamaju, Palembang City, Thursday (26/10/2023). He provided food assistance from government rice reserves to Beneficiary Families (KPM).

At that time, Jokowi also promised that he would provide food assistance from the government’s rice reserves for next year.

“Later in January, February, March, 10 kg, 10 kg, 10 kg, do you agree or not? Provided that the APBN will be sufficient, so we pray together if the APBN is sufficient, then January, January, February, March,” he said Jokowi.

Apart from that, Jokowi will also provide additional social assistance of IDR 400 thousand to recipients this year. To reduce the impact of Super El Nino.

“So later in November, in December, please see if there are any additions to your accounts, because God willing, we will transfer Rp. 200 (thousand), Rp. 200 (thousand), which means Rp. 400 thousand,” he said.

Shifting to Lampung Province, at the start of his arrival on Thursday (26/10/2023) afternoon, Jokowi also went straight to the Campang Raya Bulog Warehouse, Bandar Lampung City. Apart from reviewing food supplies, Jokowi also handed over food aid to beneficiary families (KPM).

On that occasion, Jokowi spoke about extending rice reserve food assistance until 2024, if the budget is available and sufficient.

“If it’s ready, in January, February, March, we will also give 10 kg, 10 kg, 10 kg, next year,” said Jokowi.

Apart from that, the government will also prepare additional PKH social assistance to beneficiaries. This social assistance will be provided in the last two months of 2023.

“You’ll see everything in your account, in November and December there will be a transfer (totaling) IDR 400 thousand,” he said.

[Gambas:Video CNBC]

(emy/wur)