Didik Fibrianto, Jakarta – The Indonesian government has suspended social assistance payments to more than 300,000 beneficiaries found to be involved in online gambling, Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf said Monday.

The decision follows an investigation by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK), which reviewed 12 million beneficiaries of the ministry's aid programs. The audit identified around 2 million recipients as ineligible, including 600,000 linked to online gambling.

"More than 300,000 beneficiaries can no longer receive assistance. If it is proven they were engaged in online gambling, their benefits will be terminated immediately," Saifullah, popularly known as Gus Ipul, told reporters.

He added that those affected would still be able to reapply for aid, subject to a re-registration and verification process. "It is possible some were exploited by others. That is why re-verification is necessary," he said.

The minister stressed that redirected funds would be distributed to households that genuinely qualify. "Going forward, we will channel assistance to those entitled, with the same amounts, so the program is accurately targeted," he said.

PPATK has also submitted additional findings to the ministry, including evidence of anomalies that suggest misallocation of aid.

Deputy Social Affairs Minister Agus Jabo Priyono previously said the government was investigating allegations that social assistance had been misused for online gambling. His office has sought approval from President Prabowo Subianto to impose strict sanctions on those found to have gambled with state aid.

Officials cautioned, however, that a thorough review is needed before final decisions are made. "If it is proven that beneficiaries used assistance for gambling, it is very possible they will be removed from the list," the ministry said in a statement. "Social assistance must be targeted and used as intended to optimally help the poor and vulnerable."

Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/govt-cuts-social-aid-for-300000-beneficiaries-linked-to-online-gamblin