Indonesia pushes efficient, transparent social aid digital system

hartono · Jun 26, 2025

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf and Head of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan have met to discuss ways to improve the digitization system for social aid in an effort to make aid distribution more effective and efficient. (ANTARA/HO-Biro Humas Kemensos)

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf and Head of the National Economic Council (DEN) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan have met to discuss ways to improve the digitization system for social aid in an effort to make aid distribution more effective and efficient.

Minister Saifullah Yusuf noted in a statement received here on Thursday that digitization will take over all aspects of governance, including social security. He stated that technology will increase accuracy, transparency, and effectiveness in the allocation of social aid.

"We are moving towards digital-based governance, particularly in social security. This is to ensure social aid is effective and transparent, as well as has a tangible impact on people's welfare," Yusuf remarked.

His administration will adapt its policies in line with developments in information technology and will collaborate with other institutions, such as DEN, which is currently formulating a national e-government framework.

The minister also noted that social aid allocation is currently carried out based on the National Socio-Economic One Data (DTSEN), which is consistently and thoroughly updated. Earlier, aid distribution was based on a list of families deemed eligible.

Yusuf explained that this update to the allocation criteria aims to ensure that only eligible families receive state assistance. Thus, he apologized for any inconvenience caused by the system transition.

"We want to ensure that aid is truly received by those who need it the most," he noted.

He expressed hope that this kind of management can ensure a more adaptive, accountable, and sustainable social aid management and allocation, thereby meeting the vision of inclusive social development.

Yusuf remarked that improving the digitization of social aid will involve several other ministries and institutions, such as the National Development Planning Ministry, Statistics Indonesia, Home Affairs Ministry, Communication and Digital Ministry, and others.