Parliament Urges Low-Income Families to Learn From Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), Hidayat Nur Wahid, encouraged Jakartan beneficiary families of the Family Hope Program (PKH) -- a government social assistance program -- to be optimistic rather than passive and resigned. He even told a story of Spanish World Cup footballers, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, to push the families to improve their economic conditions.

The PKH is a conditional social assistance program for low-income families to improve their health, education, and overall well-being. Managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs, the program consists of direct cash assistance and empowerment opportunities.

Hidayat gave the example of the struggles of the families of Yamal and Williams. HNW, as he is familiarly known, told that both came from poor immigrant families but, with the optimism and hard work of their parents, have now become world champions and are financially successful, and therefore have lifted their parents out of poverty.

"The story of Lamine and Nico's family teaches us that financial constraints are not a reason to give up. In fact, parents currently facing financial constraints must do their utmost to help their children overcome these challenges by improving their well-being, which in the context of the Family Hope Program (PKH) is known as graduation. This success will certainly have an impact across generations," Hidayat said in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, 22 July 2026.

HNW explained that the PKH is a constitutional mandate, as stated in Article 34 of the 1945 Indonesian Constitution, that the state is "obliged" to develop a social security system and empower weak and disadvantaged communities. Therefore, even though the country is also in a fiscal deficit, the program is still being prioritized.

"Therefore, it is absolutely essential that this trust be safeguarded and ensured by PKH beneficiaries. One way is by actively participating in P2K2 (Programs for Family Welfare Programs) to continuously improve family capacity, enhance skills, and foster a positive and productive mindset regarding life's challenges. Furthermore, the Minister of Social Affairs has emphasized that this assistance is temporary, while empowerment is permanent," he continued.

Hidayat, of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) from the Islam-based Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), also opened up opportunities for various follow-up programs that families could utilize, such as the Socio-Economic Empowerment Program with business capital assistance of up to Rp5 million (about US$279) and social assistance for high school graduates who want to continue to higher education, as well as for Islamic school (madrasah) students.

"We at Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives will continue to ensure that social protection programs remain sustainable and well-targeted, and are able to create families who overcome their economic and social challenges, become independent and prosperous," Hidayat concluded.