Cure-All Card

IT is difficult to cast doubt on President Joko Widodo's good intentions in lessening the impact of fuel price increases on lower income families. One instrument, known as the Productive Family Program, comprises the Prosperous Family Card (KKS), the Smart Indonesia (KIP) and the Healthy Indonesia Card (KIS)and has now become known as Jokowi's sakti or 'magic card'.

Experience has taught us that good intentions do not always produce satisfactory results, especially for massive programs which cover millions of people scattered over a huge area. For example, the KIS, with funds of Rp20 trillion, is targeted at 86.4 million families. The KIP, costing Rp6.3 trillion, is aimed at helping 15.5 million households, and the KKS, Rp6.2 trillion, is planned to reach the same number of families. These people are spread right across the country.

November 18, 2014