Kadin Questions The Effectiveness Of Subsidized House Area Reduction To 25 Meters

Deputy Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Housing and Settlement Areas, Dhony Rahajoe. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) questioned the effectiveness of cutting the area of subsidized houses, responding to the government's plan to cut the minimum land area of subsidized houses from 60 square meters to 25 square meters.

Deputy Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Housing and Settlement Areas Dhony Rahajoe understands the reasons behind this plan, especially if you reflect on big cities in developed countries.

There, the price of land is high and the need for housing close to the workplace forces the development of smaller or compact houses.

"However, this compensation is balanced with waste management technology, then high-rise development, as well as the use of furniture which is all functional or multifunctional," said Dhony as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, June 3.

However, Dhony highlighted the fundamental difference between conditions in developed countries and Indonesia, especially in the cultural aspect.

Unlike people in Hong Kong, Japan, or European countries, for example, who tend to be solitary and do not want to have children, Dhony said Indonesian culture still upholds the togetherness of the extended family.

Therefore, Dhony questioned whether the design of the house measuring 25 square meters, even though it is equipped with multifunctional technology and interior, can be sufficient to accommodate the activities of nuclear family members, such as husbands, wives, and children.

He also questioned whether this land area reduction was the only way to reduce prices to be affordable by low-income people.

"That's probably what should be studied," he said.

Dhony appreciated the progress shown by the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) and hoped that this policy draft could be a momentum to build a more comprehensive housing ecosystem.

He also emphasized the importance of involving various components and elements in building a housing ecosystem so that all parties can sit down together to discuss the suitability of this policy with the Indonesian context.

The government plans to revise the minimum land area limit and the floor area of the landed public house to a minimum of 25 square meters for land area and 18 square meters for the floor area. This change plan is contained in the draft amendment to the Decree of the Minister of PKP.

The Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas, Maruarar Sirait, responded to the pros and cons around the draft.

He considered that this difference of opinion was reasonable and believed that the purpose of the regulation was very good.

According to him, this regulation aims to expand the scope of society that can benefit, as well as provide subsidized home design options that are more suitable for consumer needs without harming them.

"Now it's still in the stage of receiving inputs. Pros and cons are normal. The goal is good," said Maurar in Jakarta, Monday, June 2.