Luhut Binsar Panjaitan Testimony Half of the IDR 500 Trillion Social Assistance Funds Were Not Targeted

Luhut Binsar Panjaitan Testimony Half of the IDR 500 Trillion Social Assistance Funds Were Not Targeted

By: Jacob Ereste
Freelance Journalist

The statement by Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Chairman of the National Economic Council of President Prabowo Subianto’s Red and White Cabinet regarding half of the IDR 500 trillion Social Assistance (Bansos) funds being misdirected, indicates that there was corruption of the funds that were used as a donation. (Repelita News, February 11, 2025). So that it has become a widespread concern for various groups, including Rocky Gerung who commented via his personal YouTube account.

This statement by Luhut Binsar Panjaitan seems to provide information about alleged brutality in using Bansos as a donation and deserves to be investigated by law enforcement officers.

The impression that there was a bastardy of the previous ruling regime began to be dismantled by Luhut Binsar Panjaitan who was relatively close to and had a strong influence on President Joko Widodo at that time. So now it is very possible that they have chosen their own path, no longer compact and no longer of one heart.

According to Rocky Gerung, the data on recipients of Social Assistance that are not on target, is suspected to be the cause of Social Assistance funds not reaching those who are entitled, and must be immediately investigated further by law enforcement officers, as long as President Prabowo Subianto has given orders and his full support to investigate and process all perpetrators of corruption in this country. Because the President is serious about fixing the people’s severe economic conditions.

The testimony of Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, which has the power and legal sanctions, must be followed up by law enforcement officers. Therefore, the Prosecutor’s Office, Police, Development Finance Audit Agency (BPKP) and Corruption Eradication Commission who have received direct orders from the president need to be observed by the people, which agency is more ready and obedient in carrying out the President’s orders which will definitely get full support from the people.

Indications of criminal acts of corruption in the last five years that seem crazy because they coincide with the implementation of the General Election are truly extraordinary and confusing. So that severe economic pressure is increasingly difficult to digest by common sense.

Luhut Binsar Panjaitan’s confession over the past five years, he witnessed for himself how the effectiveness of social protection programs faced major challenges. “Of the total Rp 500 trillion in the Social Assistance budget, only half has actually reached the rightful hands,” said Luhut Binsar Panjaitan giving his testimony.

So there is indeed no reason for law enforcement officers to investigate the truth of the information that has been leaked by former high-ranking officials who are relatively close and in the circle of power of the previous President’s government. And now back to an important position in the new government, under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto. And President Prabowo Subianto himself has ordered law enforcement officers to carry out their duties and functions which will receive full support from the President and the people, so that Indonesia’s economic conditions can improve immediately.

Banten, February 13, 2025

—