Elderly Woman Denied Aid Due to NIK Registered Under Gambling and Loans; Dilapidated Home Rebuilt with Pooled Funds

MEDAN, KOMPAS.com — A 73-year-old elderly woman named Miah, living on the coast of Medan Belawan District, North Sumatra, suddenly went viral after her dilapidated house nearly collapsed.

She had actually lived in that wooden house for many years.

Her physical condition, which no longer allowed her to walk, worsened the situation. On top of that, in recent months she stopped receiving government aid despite being in the top 10% income bracket.

It was later discovered that Miah’s national identification number (NIK) was registered under online gambling (judol) and online loan (pinjol) records.

Because of this, she was no longer eligible for Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) and the Family Hope Program (PKH).

Robby Kurniawan, the subdistrict head of Medan Belawan, said that authorities had provided several forms of assistance to Miah, including rebuilding her home.

“Yes, starting last Friday we began cleaning up. Seeing the community’s condition, the Mayor immediately instructed us to take action and monitor the situation,” Robby told Kompas.com on Saturday (9/19/2026).

Refuses to Move to Social Care Facility

The local government initially planned to relocate Miah to a social care home. However, the 73-year-old woman refused and wished to remain in her fragile house.

“We feel for the elderly woman, but she doesn't want to be moved. So, we all pooled funds together. The Mayor himself used his personal funds, not city government money,” he added.

There was a reason they decided to use personal funds collected collectively.

This is because Miah’s house—and those of other coastal residents—are built on land owned by PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Pelindo).

“If the land were clearly owned with complete documentation, like proper certificates, then the house would have been rebuilt through a formal housing renovation program,” explained Robby.

KOMPAS.com/EKO AGUS HERIANTO The condition of Nek Miah’s house, which was on the verge of collapsing in Belawan I Village, Medan Belawan District, Medan City.

Nonetheless, they still chose to rebuild Miah’s home using personal funds.

The decision was based on consensus reached at the Subdistrict Leadership Meeting (Muspika), involving the military district command (Koramil), police sector (Polsek), naval base police (Pomal), and village officials.

“We are rebuilding it to be representative and suitable for the elderly woman. Because it’s using personal money, it’s as much as we can afford, but God willing, it will be completed,” Robby said.

The neighborhood chief, supported by residents of Belawan I Village, worked together in mutual cooperation to build the new home for Nek Miah.

Building materials were promptly purchased, with a goal to complete the house within a few weeks.

“We don’t pay labor wages because villagers are volunteering, but we buy the materials. This helps strengthen unity in Belawan,” he explained.