Social Protection in Indonesia: Challenges and The Direction Forward

The social protection programme in Indonesia holds an important role in poverty reduction efforts and economic development. A different view on social protection in Indonesia is required. So far social protection is viewed as a protection instrument for the poor and vulnerable. These people shall also be given opportunities to contribute in equitable economic development in Indonesia. There are several challenges in the implementation of social protection in Indonesia nowadays. First targeting in the implementation of social protection programmes is not yet optimal. Second the mechanism of facilitation of social protection programmes is relatively still weak. Third the coordination among programmes is not well standardized nor integrated yet either at the central or regional level. Fourth the priority for the funding of social protection programmes is still limited. Hence strengthening efforts in terms of budgeting regulation and institution are required to improve the implementation of social protection in the future.