Jakarta Globe, Novy Lumanauw & Yustinus Paat, Nov 03, 2014
Jakarta. President Joko Widodo on Monday is launching the much-vaunted Indonesia Smart Card and Indonesia Heath Card, despite calls from an education group that introduction should be postponed due to multiple shortcomings.
Syafrudin and his daughter sort through trash to make a living in Tasikmalaya, West Java, on Oct. 19, 2014. (Antara Photo/Adeng Bustomi) |
Jakarta. President Joko Widodo on Monday is launching the much-vaunted Indonesia Smart Card and Indonesia Heath Card, despite calls from an education group that introduction should be postponed due to multiple shortcomings.
The cards,
which will be similar to the Jakarta Health Card (KJS) and Jakarta Smart Card
(JKP) implemented when Joko was governor of the capital, will be officially
unveiled by the president today in Jakarta at 11.30 a.m. and distributed around
the country starting Nov. 7.
The health
and education programs will reach tens of millions of Indonesians and provide a
number of benefits to holders. The cards offer free health insurance for the
poor; guarantee 12 years free education and provide for students’ educational
needs; the cards also guarantee free higher education for poor students who
pass the university entrance exams.
However,
education group Gerakan Indonesia Pintar (Smart Indonesia Movement) has called
on Joko to postpone the launch of the programs, saying shortcomings will render
them ineffective.
“We urge
the president to take some time in launching the programs and also postpone the
signing of an inpres [presidential instruction] for the programs because they
still bear many shortcomings,” said Alpha Amirrachman, secretary general of
Smart Indonesia Movement.
Alpha said
the National Team for the Acceleration of Poverty Alleviation (TNP2TK), which
provides data for the two programs, does not have adequate or comprehensive
information on the economic, social and geographic obstacles faced by
Indonesia’s poor. He said the Ministry of Social Affairs should instead be
responsible for providing data for the programs.
Chairwoman
of the Smart Indonesia Movement Yanti Sriyulianti said the inpres failed to
provide technical details anticipating problems such as delivery in areas where
banking services were limited or non-existent.
“We don’t
want the receivers to spend so much money only for transportation to get the
funds at a bank,” Yanti said. “Banks should make trips to remote areas. Besides
that, regional development banks should also take part in ensuring
affordability.”
The
Indonesia Smart Card is targeted at 24 million poor students, including
students eligible for scholarships and others that cannot attend school because
of financial issues. Students can receive Rp 225,000 ($18.50) per semester for
elementary students; Rp 375,000 per semester for junior high students; and Rp
500,000 per semester for senior high or vocational school students. The funds
will be accessible through state-run lender Bank Mandiri, or appointed outlets.
The
Indonesia Heath Card is expected to be delivered to 88.1 million Indonesians
who struggle to meet basic needs, namely the food poverty line (GKM) — set at
2,100 kilocalories per day — and the non-food poverty line (GKBM), which is set
based on 51 commodities in urban areas and 47 commodities in rural areas. Food
commodities include rice, eggs, chicken meat, instant noodles and sugar.
Non-food commodities are housing, education, clothes, electricity and fuel.
Medical
costs will be covered by the government and managed by the Social Security
Organizing Body (BPJS) and include a monthly health insurance premium of Rp
19,225 per person.
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