VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has instructed that social safety net funds, amounting to Rp110 trillion, be immediately distributed to help fulfill the basic requirements of those at the grassroots level during the COVID-19 pandemic. The president stated while chairing a limited cabinet meeting on the Effectiveness of Social Safety Net Distribution Program held through videoconference from the Bogor Palace, West Java, on Tuesday that Rp110 trillion of funding had been allotted for social safety nets for those from the grassroots level to cater to their basic requirements and shop to maintain the purchasing power. Furthermore, the president has instructed the social affairs minister to distribute 200 thousand basic food packages in the Jakarta area and also pre-work cards from April 9, for which the budget was raised, from Rp10 trillion to Rp20 trillion, with beneficiaries reaching 5.6 million, especially those affected by layoffs, informal workers, and MSME actors impacted by COVID-19. The government has also announced free electricity for 24 million 450 KVa customers and a 50-percent discount for seven million 900 KVa customers in April, May, and June//ANT