inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, emphasized the need for policies to protect the middle class to prevent them from being relegated.

"Poverty policies cannot simply focus on helping the poor; we must also continue to work to prevent vulnerable groups and the middle class from being relegated," said Muhaimin on Wednesday (3/4/2026).

He stated that poverty remains a major challenge in Indonesia, marked by a decline in the middle class and a significant increase in vulnerable groups.

This, Muhaimin continued, indicates that the social welfare system is not yet fully resilient in the face of economic pressures.

"Press on the cost of living, job market uncertainty, and rising education and healthcare costs will continue to potentially erode the resilience of our middle class," said Muhaimin.

He stated that this phenomenon demonstrates that economic shocks can easily push vulnerable groups into poverty.

In fact, Indonesia's economic growth is heavily influenced by middle-class consumption, which has been the main driver of domestic demand and economic stability.

Muhaimin continues to promote empowerment efforts so that communities can move up in class and become agents of development.

"If we want communities to continue to move up in class and achieve dignity, community empowerment is key. With this paradigm, communities don't just receive assistance, but we encourage them to become agents of development," explained Abdul Muhaimin.

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