Govt prepares SIM card credit subsidy for online learning, Erick Thohir says the program awaiting the decision of three ministries

Last updated on May 6th, 2021 at 07:06 am

Minister of SOEs and Chief Executive of the Committee for Handling Covid-19 and National Economic Recovery (PEN) Erick Thohir said a number of ministries were still discussing the implementation of the SIM card credit assistance program. He said the subsidy program was still being discussed by the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Communication and Information, and the Ministry of Finance.

“For SIM card credit in particular, of course, there is still discussion between the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry of Communication and Information and the Ministry of Finance, whether subsidies can be disbursed immediately,” said Erick at the Police Headquarters, Jakarta, August 13.

He said that later the assistance would be given to lecturers, teachers, students, and students. Erick said he could not implement this program before the discussions between the three ministries were over.

This was done to support the Distance Learning program in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. This program is planned to collaborate with PT Telkom.

According to Erick, the government through the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology has actually collaborated with PT Telkomsel to provide cheap SIM Card credit to support the distance learning (PJJ) program. Cooperation with a subsidiary of PT Telkom Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or Telkom is estimated to reach IDR 1.7 trillion.

“In fact, per month if I’m not mistaken for Telkom and Telkomsel it is around Rp1.4 trillion, but this will be recorded as data at Ministry of Communication and Information Technology,” he said.

Minister of Communication and Informatics (Menkominfo) Johnny G Plate said credit subsidies for teaching staff and students will start rolling out in September 2020. Therefore, he hopes that the adjustment to the budget executive list (DIPA) can be completed soon so that subsidies can be distributed.