Basic food supplies continue to flow in the middle of the MK hearing process

Even though social assistance is still an issue at the Constitutional Court, basic food packages are still being distributed in front of the Merdeka Palace and Bogor Palace.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

Officials arrange food packages from President Joko Widodo that will be distributed to residents in front of Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Monday (8/4/2024).

If usually Jalan Medan Merdeka Utara right in front of Merdeka Palace is sterile from motorists, Monday (8/4/2024) afternoon, motorbike riders can pass. However, of course not just passing by. Only those carrying coupons to collect basic food packages from President Joko Widodo can pass.

A total of one thousand packages of basic necessities in white and red bags with the words "Presidential Palace of the Republic of Indonesia" were distributed in front of the Merdeka Palace. Rice, cooking oil, sugar, tea, and biscuits were prepared in each bag. Motorbike taxi drivers and sanitation workers who had been waiting for an hour around the Supreme Court building took turns receiving this food aid.

This is the second time President Jokowi has witnessed the distribution of basic food aid packages to the public during the ongoing presidential and vice presidential election dispute hearing at the Constitutional Court. Previously, at the Balai Kota Bogor courtyard or west of the Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, on Saturday (4/6/2024) at around 4.40 pm WIB, the President also directly witnessed the distribution of the basic need assistance. During the distribution of the aid, the Presidential Secretariat's Press, Media, and Information Bureau reported that thousands of Bogor residents enthusiastically lined up to receive the basic need assistance. Residents lined up at one of the gates of the Bogor Presidential Palace.

Also read: President Jokowi Watches Residents Queue for Basic Food at Bogor Palace

BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN - KRIS

President Joko Widodo went shopping and distributed several social assistance programs, including Working Capital Aid (BMK) and Cash Direct Assistance (BLT) for Cooking Oil, to beneficiaries and traders at Pasar Petisah, Medan City, North Sumatra, on Thursday (7/7/2022).

Witnessing happiness

From inside the Istana Merdeka, President Jokowi was seen walking to the Istana gate facing the National Monument to monitor the distribution of foodstuffs. The Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono, the Head of the Presidential Protocol Bureau, Yusuf Permana, and the Presidential Security Force Commander, Major General Achiruddin, also accompanied him.

"Thank you, Mr. Jokowi," shouted one of the beneficiaries of food aid from atop a motorcycle. After the distribution, the recipients were immediately asked to pass through to ensure smooth flow. The President also looked happy waving as he watched his people carry the food aid.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

President Joko Widodo monitored the distribution of food packages from the Merdeka Palace fence in Jakarta on Monday (8/4/2024). The residents who received them shouted their gratitude and were greeted with a wave from the President.

One of the officers of the Public Facility and Infrastructure Handling (PPSU), Mujiana (53), expressed gratitude for the food package to supplement her household's needs. She said that the price of rice is currently expensive, as well as cooking oil, shallots, and chili peppers. "Almost everything is expensive," she said.

The salary and holiday allowance (THR) that he received must also be sufficient to purchase meat, chicken, vegetables, and snacks for the special day. Now, his wife is busy cooking ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

Almost everything is expensive.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Ramdani (32), who works daily as an online motorcycle taxi (ojol) driver, knows about the distribution of food from ojol groups. "Just enjoy it, make this at home," he said.

He also stated that the President's aid for the needy community remains important. This is also the first time Ramdani has received the President's aid. Coincidentally, the motorcycle taxi driver did not receive holiday pay.

KOMPAS/NINA SUSILO

Residents receive food packages from President Joko Widodo in front of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (8/4/2024).

Mocking the case at the Constitutional Court

Nonetheless, the distribution of aid packages is currently being discussed in the trial of the dispute over the results of the presidential election (PHPU) at the Constitutional Court. The social assistance frequently distributed by President Jokowi in various regions of Indonesia is considered to have influenced political choices in the presidential election. The President is also accused of "showing off" in the 2024 presidential election, especially since his eldest son is running as vice president alongside presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto.

President Jokowi's distribution of social assistance seems to show his 'recalcitrant' side and seems to mock an issue that is being widely discussed in the Constitutional Court.

A lecturer at the Postgraduate School of Paramadina University, Herdi Sahrasad, believes that President Jokowi's distribution of social assistance appears to show a "stubborn" side and seems to mock the issue that is being widely discussed in the Constitutional Court.

Although social assistance is actually needed for the poor, there are political interests underlying its provision. In the end, there is a moral and ethical issue that arises.

"Bansos has a more political connotation and creates cynicism among the public, especially since it is still a problem in the Constitutional Court. So the President seems to want to show populism, but instead it becomes cheap populism by disregarding ethical morals. I am worried that this will be counterproductive for Jokowi," said Herdi, who was contacted while in Purworejo, Central Java.

BIRO PERS SEKRETARIAT PRESIDEN/KRIS

President Joko Widodo met with participants of the Family Welfare Economic Development (Mekaar) program under the supervision of Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) on Monday, January 29, 2024, at Gemilang Stadium, Magelang Regency, Central Java Province. In his speech, the President expressed his happiness to be able to meet with the Mekaar program participants again.

Herdi believes that the distribution of social assistance can indeed be motivated by good intentions to help the community. However, when there are political interests at play, the image can be disrupted. This is because the public will understand that even though the President wants to be remembered as someone who cares for the small people, the staple goods that are distributed will quickly run out.

The distribution of social aid cannot be considered as zakat since it comes from the people's money. Hence, it is not appropriate to call Jokowi a philanthropist.

During a session at the Constitutional Court, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati explained that the distribution of social assistance carried out by President Jokowi did not use the allocation of the social protection program totaling IDR 496 trillion in 2024. Instead, it also utilized the President's operational funds. Nevertheless, these operational funds also come from the state budget or citizens' taxes.

Therefore, Herdi reminds us that if the distribution of social assistance is made to appear as though it stems from personal kindness, it should not necessarily be done. Rather, a more comprehensive and sustainable government program is needed.

"Jokowi's image has already reached a low point with the case at MK. Therefore, with the remaining time in the government, the President should strengthen the foundations of the people's lives, including farmers, fishermen, UMKM actors, and other small communities. This would be more sustainable and beneficial," he added.

NINA SUSILO

Food packages ready to be distributed in front of the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (8/4/2024).

Requested to be prepared since 2014

Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Heru Budi Hartono, declined to comment on the social assistance program that is currently being discussed in the Constitutional Court. However, he stated that ever since accompanying President Jokowi in 2014, the Presidential secretariat has always prepared similar assistance during every working visit. "Within 24 hours, basic necessities should be stocked with around 5,000 units. That is the President's orders," he said.

Therefore, during work visits to areas or during disasters such as the earthquake in Palu and Donggala, floods and landslides in Leuwiliang, Bogor Regency, and other areas, similar assistance is always distributed.

Also read: Social Assistance, Prabowo-Gibran Vote Booster?

The budget used is from the President's operational funds, not from an allocation for social protection programs in ministries/agencies. These operational funds are used for various purposes. Heru gave an example, when the President visits a region and visits a vocational school lacking practical equipment, the operational funds can be used. One example is the car given by President Jokowi to SMKNegeri 5 Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. In addition, these funds are used for bicycle gifts, working capital assistance for MSMEs, or food assistance for residents during the Covid-19 pandemic.

"So, this aid package, the President's habit of wanting to get close to the community and approaching the end of the Ramadan month towards Eid al-Fitr, yes, he paid attention to that," said Heru.

Yusuf added that this has always been done since the beginning of his term as President, especially before the Eid al-Fitr holiday.