Jakarta – The Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) has called on the central government to stop the direct cash aid program for the poor because of rampant illegal fees.

"Too many illegal fees are imposed by local administration officials. And there are leakages in the central government fund for direct cash aid," Febry Hendri, an ICW researcher told a media briefing on Monday.

He said direct cash aid had affected the attitude of the poor as they relied on it and became too lazy to work, kompas.com reported. Solidarity among the poor had also declined because of the competition to get direct cash aid and some had even died as they battled for the cash.

Febri suggested the government instead should allocate the direct cash aid to improve health and education services. "If health and education receive more funds, they will become the country's investment for the future," he said.