TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Ministry of Social Affairs has halted social aid for tens of thousands of recipients since the beginning of this year. Minister of Social Affairs Saifullah Yusuf stated the decision was made because the beneficiaries were found to be involved in online gambling.
According to Saifullah, more than 11,000 families receiving bansos have been removed from the beneficiary list in the last three months. "We removed them in the first quarter of 2026," he said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
The suspension of aid for online gamblers continues into the second quarter of 2026. Entering May, Saifullah conveyed that 75 additional families receiving ministry assistance have also been delisted.
Saifullah obtained data on aid recipients involved in online gambling from the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) starting last year. In 2025, he said, the PPATK reported that 600,000 bansos recipients involved in online gambling were removed.
The Ministry of Social Affairs also assessed that the number of recipients involved in online gambling has decreased. Saifullah noted that the number of removals, which reached 600,000 last year, has dropped to around 11,000 at the start of 2026.
Saifullah emphasized that the government does not tolerate aid recipients participating in illegal acts. "We are monitoring and providing assistance at the same time," he said.
According to him, recipients whose aid has been suspended can apply for reactivation. If they remain in significant need, the ministry may reinstate them as beneficiaries. However, should they resume gambling, the subsequent suspension will be made permanent.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Social Affairs will collaborate with the PPATK to re-audit their accounts in the next six months. This second chance is the final opportunity to receive the social aid. If they are found using funds for gambling again, Saifullah warned, their names will be permanently purged from the list of social assistance recipients.
Dede Leni Mardianti contributed to this report
Read: 275 Foreign Nationals Named Suspects in Jakarta Gambling Raid
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