The Sad Story Of Antasari 45 Apartment Buyers: IDR 1.23 Billion Retirement Savings Are Gone, I'm Not Willing My Installments To Just Disappear

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The construction of the Antasari 45 Apartment has been stalled for years and is only in the form of five basement floors so far. Behind the stalled construction of the apartment which was promised to be completed in October 2017, there is a sad story from the buyers.

Susan, one of the buyers, admitted that the Antasari 45 Apartment was the first investment she prepared for retirement. Even in difficult times, Susan always prioritizes paying installments of 80-90 percent of her salary.

She and her husband regularly ask about the construction status of the apartment, but all they receive is a sweet promise from the developer. However, there is no information or explanation from the developer.

Susan admitted that it was like being hanged for years while the money was taken. Now, in retirement, the dream of being able to own a comfortable place to live seems to have disappeared. The total loss suffered by Susan reached IDR 1.23 billion.

"I'm not willing if the money that I've paid in installments just disappears. Even if I have to pay it off, I need guarantees that this project is actually built. How come I was asked to finish the payment, but the construction is not continued. If they didn't build, how much more I have to lose," she told the media crew, in Jakarta, Wednesday, January 19.

Not only Susan, but the same fate also happened to Puji Purnama. Her hard work paying off the apartment was wasted. In fact, said Puji, the apartment was purchased to facilitate her child's mobility while studying.

She admitted that the Antasari 45 Apartment was the choice because she was lulled by the developer's lure. She even sold the front of her house in Depok for an apartment down payment. However, Puji's dream to have a comfortable apartment for her children has now vanished and has become a burden.

According to Puji, every time she contacted the developer, the reason she received for years was always the same, namely widening the road. Puji finally stopped the installment because there was no development progress.

However, she still saves part of her income worth IDR 15 million per month for later she will pay the credit contract if the construction continues. The case is still not finished, Puji has to go through a wave of pandemic which has a big impact on her work and health.

As a foodstylish freelancer, Puji does not have a steady income. Her savings were slowly running low, the car had to be sold to pay for the treatment of Puji and her family who had been affected by COVID-19, to meet the daily needs of the family, up to the salaries of 10 employees.

Puji said this was the most bitter experience she had ever had.

"For me, this IDR 450 million means a lot during the pandemic. I can use it to increase business capital, the living expenses of my employees, or to save for the future of my children," she said.