Dismissal of PL leaders due to poor implementation of social program

The recent dismissal of three top officials from the Pertjajah Luhur (PL) at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing is due to changing policy insights. The Santokhi government aims for a faster and improved implementation of the social program. It was known that even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had criticized this program.
Humphrey Dundas, spokesperson for Vice President Ronnie Brunswijk, states that the dismissal is not necessarily related to the strained relationship between the ABOP and PL. According to him, there are new insights within the government to improve the execution of the social program.
In the STVS program *M’manten Taki*, Dundas indicated that more shifts in policy will occur, without providing specific details. He pointed to ongoing issues related to the *Moni Karta*, delayed pension (AOV) payments, and purchasing power support, which are still not running smoothly. Plans to intervene at the Ministry of Social Affairs were in place even before the split between the ABOP and PL and before Bronto Somohardjo’s departure from the Ministry of the Interior. Dundas mentioned that Minister Ines Pane will provide further details on the plans for better implementation of the social program.
Dundas also emphasized that the President and Vice President will jointly decide who will temporarily lead the ministry. However, the ABOP insists that a reliable and qualified person should be appointed to oversee the elections at the department. The PL refers to a written agreement from 2020, which stipulates that they are entitled to nominate a new ministerial candidate. Whether the ABOP will accept this is currently not an issue, according to the spokesperson. The matter will be further discussed upon President Chan Santokhi’s return from abroad, Dundas concluded.