Social Affairs Ministry: Rp700,000 School Shoe Budget is a Limit for Specialized Footwear

The Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs has addressed public concerns regarding a substantial budget allocated for school shoes, clarifying that the figure of Rp27 billion, which translated to approximately Rp700,000 per pair, was merely a maximum spending ceiling or 'pagu'. This clarification comes amid public scrutiny and accusations of extravagance.

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Tetapi kemudian di dalam pagu ya, rencana anggaran Kemensos untuk pengadaan sepatu ada yang nilainya Rp700 (ribu). Sepatu apakah itu? Yaitu sepatu PDL. Yang tentunya spesifikasinya berbeda dengan sepatu harian. Karena di situ ada banyak komponen ya, ada banyak komponen yang tentunya berbeda dengan sepatu harian.

Deputy Minister of Social Affairs, Agus Jabo Priyono, explained that the Rp700,000 figure specifically pertains to 'Sepatu Pakaian Dinas Lapangan' (PDL) or Field Duty Shoes. These are not ordinary daily wear but specialized footwear with specific requirements, hence the higher allocated budget. He emphasized that the actual procurement price would be determined through a market orientation and auction process, adhering to the principle of securing the most efficient price without compromising quality.

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Itu pagunya, itu pagunya, bukan harga riil. Jadi nanti kan ada proses kita melakukan orientasi, orientasi pasar, harga saat ini berapa. Tentunya pada waktu lelang ya, PPK itu akan memilih gitu loh, perusahaan-perusahaan atau vendor-vendor yang harganya paling murah tetapi tidak keluar dari spesifikasi.

In contrast, the everyday school shoes, referred to as 'sepatu harian', have a significantly more modest budget, estimated at around Rp200,000 per pair. This distinction is crucial for understanding the allocation. The ministry highlighted that the PDL shoes have specific components and standards, including considerations for comfort, material strength, neatness, and uniformity, and may even feature a custom 'Sekolah Rakyat' logo, contributing to the higher budgetary limit. The process ensures that while quality is maintained, the most cost-effective options are pursued during the bidding phase.

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Dan jenis sepatu yang ditampilkan itu, itu kalau di Sekolah Rakyat namanya sepatu harian. Yang dipakai oleh sehari-hari siswa Sekolah Rakyat. Memang harganya sepatu harian itu pun ya, di dalam proses pengadaan di Kemensos itu harganya sekitar 200, Rp200 ribu, gitu loh.