REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MEDAN -- Social Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that poverty alleviation carried out so far has involved all parties, including central, regional, and private parties. Therefore, he called on all parties to continue to work together to alleviate poverty.
"It is all our duty," he stated at a program to provide basic food assistance to a thousand underprivileged people in Medan, which was centered at Benteng Square, North Sumatra.
Gumiwang noted that the nation today continues to struggle to overcome the problem of poverty. The results are already visible as can be seen when the poverty rate reached 9.66 percent and historically, there has been a decline in poverty, reaching one digit.
The achievement of poverty reduction is certainly not accidental or unplanned, but it is a planned effort carried out in synergy with the government, the business world, the community, and other stakeholders. Many factors support the reduction of poverty rates, one of which is the implementation of social welfare programs.
Government programs are also structured, such as the Hope Family Program (PKH), Non-Cash Food Aid (BPNT) program, and other programs. Social actions are also carried out, such as the activities of giving basic food today which are certainly very needed by the community.
The sincerity and responsiveness of the regional government that cared for its citizens could be seen through the activities carried out today. In this case, the concern of the Medan City Government to the people in the area is quite good, he added.
This shows that the implementation of democracy not only shows a form of political democracy but also shows that democracy can be demonstrated through the social field, by meeting the social needs of the people without exception.
"I strongly support regional initiatives to improve the standard of living of the people. The distribution of basic necessities is not just to meet basic needs for a moment, but it more broadly implies an invitation to each component to jointly handle social problems," he remarked.