Automated teller machines (ATM) containing rice are now ready to distribute 1.5 kilos of the staple grain per day for free to Indonesians severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Residents of the capital city of Jakarta, as well as those in the satellite cities of Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi in need of rice, can now visit the Pertanian Sikomandan ATM positioned across 10 locations in the Jabodetabek area.
The ATMs are a result of the joint efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Indonesian Armed Forces with the National Bank of Indonesia (BNI).
How do the machines work?
Indonesia’s Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo said that anyone who wants to get rice from the machines could come to the nearest headquarters of military district command (Kodim).
To collect the rice, eligible Indonesians — whose names are listed in a government registry of recipients — will be required to visit their nearest Kodim to collect a card by the state-owned bank Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).
They will be required to hand over their identity cards to military personnel upon collection.
After the verification process, they will be asked to place their tickets into the machine.
Rice ATMs “helpful” while waiting for govt aid
A worker in Depok told a TOC correspondent in Jakarta that he has yet to receive aid from the local government and that that the rice ATM will be helpful.
“I heard that there is a rice ATM … At least I can get the rice for my family while waiting for the aid from the central government,” he said.
Central govt distributes social aid to 1.2 mil households across Jakarta
Minister of Social Affairs Juliari Batubara on Monday (27 April) announced the first batch of aid distribution to 1.2 million households in Jakarta, due to be fully distributed by 5 May.
His ministry confirmed that the distribution of aid containing sembilan bahan pokok — nine staple foods — for Bogor, Tangerang, Depok, and Bekasi will begin on 1 May for two weeks.
The government also distributes cash aid to Indonesians living the Jabodetabek area aimed at mitigating the impact of COVID-19, making sure that the assistance will reach the right target.
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