Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo (Jokowi) admitted that he has already attempted to fulfill the basic needs of Jakartans to reduce poverty. However, due to several external factors that have not been improved, the amount of the poor in the capital city increases.

Actually, the human basic needs have been given totally through KJS and KJP to decrease poverty. We have provided housing as well

According to him, basic needs that have been fulfilled by Jakarta Provincial Government include education through Jakarta Smart Card (KJP), heath through Jakarta Health Card (KJS), and housing through low-cost rental flats (rusunawa).

“ Actually, the human basic needs have been given totally through KJS and KJP to decrease poverty. We have provided housing as well ,” stated Jokowi at City Hall, Tuesday (4/22).

Moreover, Jokowi told that the rising inflation also contributes to the increasing poverty in the city. “Basic needs also related to income. Salary is also affected by the high inflation,” he said.

In his opinion, Jokowi assessed that regional economy is also very influential to national economy. Besides, poverty line has its own standard. “If national economy declined, it will affect to poverty since poverty line rupiah standard has existed,” he uttered.

As known, in line with high 2013 inflation rate which reached 8 percent, poverty in Jakarta also increases. Of Rp 392,571 per capita per month in 2012 became Rp 434,322 per capita per month in 2013. As a result, the amount of poor people in Jakarta increased to 375.70 thousand in September 2013, from previously 366.77 thousand people in September 2012.