Working Meeting with the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs and BPS, Committee III of DPD RI urged the government to implement a transition period for updating DTSEN

15 September 2026 oleh admin

Jakarta, dpd.go.id - The process of updating the National Social and Economic Single Data (DTSEN) decile has once again sparked controversy in the community, sparked by public complaints regarding the change in decile status, which is considered inconsistent with actual social and economic conditions. The controversy was discussed at the Working Meeting (Raker) of Committee III of the House of the Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) of the Republic of Indonesia, which took place on Monday (September 14, 2026) at the DPD RI Building.

Ahmad Syauqi Soeratno, Vice Chairperson of Committee III of the DPD RI and a senator from the Special Region of Yogyakarta, emphasized during the working meeting that the government's goal of establishing the DTSEN as a single database for various social protection programs is a positive step. With a single database, ministries and institutions will no longer rely on their own data, which can potentially lead to bias and inaccurate targeting. With a single database, the social safety net can be more measurable, more comprehensive, and assistance more precisely targeted.

"The controversy surrounding the DTSEN decile update lies not in the idea of establishing a single database, but rather in the data collection formulation, implementation mechanism, and transition management, which were not well prepared by the government," Syauqi continued.

The members of Committee III of DPD RI used the working meeting to convey regional aspirations regarding the controversy surrounding the DTSEN reform and its impact on the People's School program. Therefore, Committee III of the DPD RI encouraged the Ministry of Social Affairs to implement the principle of no sudden discontinuation in the provision and distribution of social security benefits to residents in the event of changes to the DTSEN.

Committee III of the DPD RI requested a transition period (gradual tapering) of 3-6 months for beneficiaries to continue receiving social security (PBI-JKN), while the validity of real economic conditions is re-verified. At the same time, the Ministry of Social Affairs must also strengthen the system and shorten the verification and data update timeframe for each objection submitted by beneficiaries, which is done through various features that have been provided. Likewise, socialization of the program by involving all stakeholders (Government and Public) in a measured and systematic manner must be carried out, said Syauqi further, and all parties present agreed to the request of Committee III of the DPD RI.

Social Affairs Minister Saifullah Yusuf acknowledged that targeting issues have been a key reason for the government's development of the National Economic Data (DTSEN). He cited National Economic Data (DEN) at the end of 2024 indicating that over 40 percent of social assistance was not being properly targeted. Similar issues have been found with a number of other social subsidies.

"Everyone agrees that there have been issues with data, resulting in some social assistance not reaching those who are entitled. Data updates are ongoing, involving various sources and public participation. One example is the involvement of Committee III of DPD RI through synergy and collaboration," said Saifullah.

Committee III of the DPD RI encourages the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs to ensure the continuity of education for all students in the People's School program at the end of each level, including providing space for children from poor and extremely poor families to continue being accepted even though they do not meet the criteria due to the dynamics of changes in the DTSEN decile data. To support the smooth running of this program, close coordination and collaboration with relevant ministries and institutions is essential so that the development of People's Schools can run synergistically and mutually support without neglecting attention to existing public schools (elementary/junior/senior high/vocational high).

Outside of the Working Meeting with the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs, Committee III will also invite other relevant Ministries to provide policy updates regarding the preparation of this DTSEN, and BPS RI will still be invited to attend to ensure that the benefits of public services for community groups in need can still be felt during the transition period of data integration into DTSEN as mandated by Presidential Instruction Number 4 of 2025.