Deputy Speaker Of The House Of Representatives Encourages Improvement Of Solid Settlements To Improve Taraf Of People's Lives

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JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal encourages the improvement of slum densely populated settlements in order to improve people's lives. Including dense settlements in Tanah Tinggi Village, Johar Baru District, Central Jakarta (Jakpus) whose condition is very concerning.

"In the midst of the magnificent infrastructure development in Jakarta, it is indeed a concern that there are still many densely populated settlements whose conditions are quite sad. This is a paradox," said Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, Tuesday (12/11/2024).

Recently, a review was viral about the condition of people living in dense and slum areas. Precisely in Tanah Tinggi Village, Johar Baru District, Central Jakarta. Ironically, the location of this settlement is not far from the Presidential Palace, which is only about 1 kilometer away.

In a journal published by the Indonesian Persada University (UPI) of the Indonesian Administrative Foundation (YAI), it is known that there are 14 RWs in Tanah Tinggi Village consisting of 195 Neighborhood Units (RT). The total population is 37,427 people with 14,182 Heads of Families (KK) for 2022.

The same report also conveyed that as many as 10 RWs were identified as light slum areas on residential areas covering an area of 41.8 hectares. Meanwhile, 4 RWs indicated not slum areas are located on a total surface area of 20.49 hectares.

In this area, there are still some houses that are very small in size like boarding houses but are inhabited by many people. One that went viral was Grandma Hasna's house which was only 2x3 meters wide but was inhabited by 13 people including her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. To sleep, Grandma Hasna's family must curl up each other and even implement a shift-shift system every day.

In addition to houses located in narrow alleys, settlements like this are also minimal in access to basic facilities such as proper bathrooms. Most of the houses in the Tanah Tinggi area are known to have no bathrooms, so residents have to use public toilets at a cost of IDR 2,000 per use.

According to Cucun, the dense residential conditions illustrate the real gap in urban planning, especially for low-income people.

"City management that is more inclusive and fair must be a priority. The government must prove concrete actions in dealing with slum areas, especially in strategic urban areas such as Jakarta," he said.

"But of course this is our common task. Both the Central Government, Regional Government, and of course the support from the DPR. Because there are many problems with slums in other areas, "added Cucun.

Population density often causes problems from various sectors in terms of community welfare (Kesra). Starting from juvenile delinquency, economic and unemployment inequalities, health problems and frequent flooding. In Tanah Tinggi itself, it is known that there are frequent brawls between residents so that it is not uncommon for residents to deal with the authorities.

For this reason, Cucun assesses that the improvement of densely populated settlements can be one of the ways to improve people's social and economic lives.

"The problem of population density has an impact on the welfare of the community. Including the low level of education and the increasing number of unemployed. Environmental conditions affect the psychology of its citizens," said the leader of the DPR, the coordinator of the Welfare sector.

"By solving this population density problem, it's like squeezing the buttons of solving other problems that are basically to improve people's lives," continued Cucun.

One example that Cucun gave is about the safety and security of the community. Dense residential areas such as Tanah Tinggi cause mobilization to be difficult because the alleys are getting narrower because their belongings, such as motorbikes, bicycles, cooking utensils, and drying are placed along the road due to the condition of small houses.

"Imagine if there is a fire, the fire will spread quickly, and potentially threaten lives. This has happened in a number of densely populated areas. So there are also aspects of security and safety from disasters related to dense residential issues," he explained.

For this reason, Cucun supports housing ownership programs that are being promoted in the government of President Prabowo Subianto. One of them is the public housing program through the Housing Financing Liquidity Facility (FLPP) scheme facilitated by Bank BTN for low-income people.

"Yesterday I came to the Grand Opening and Mass Akad of The City Sukaraja II Housing in the Solokanjeruk area, Bandung Regency, which is an FLPP program. Programs like this can be an effort to improve densely populated settlements," explained Cucun.

The legislator from the West Java II electoral district also highlighted a new scheme that will be launched by the government in the people's housing program which includes subsidies for the difference in interest as an innovative solution to accelerate home ownership. Cucun also appreciated the conveniences provided in this housing program, ranging from simplifying regulations to increasingly significant state presence.

"This is not just a discourse, but an acceleration. This government program under Pak Prabowo's direction must be achieved. With the presence of the state, people can get home faster and easier," he said.

One of the latest innovations discussed in the program is the transfer of the FLPP scheme to a interest difference subsidy that allows people to choose the type of house according to their wishes without a certain size limit. With subsidies on interest difference, people have the freedom to choose a house that is bigger or as needed, not limited to type 36 only.

This allows people to adjust their homes to their wishes and income. The government facilitates the needs of the community, which is adjusted to the capabilities of each citizen," explained Cucun.

On the other hand, Cucun assessed that the program will also really help the younger generation to be able to have housing, including young entrepreneurs.

The young generation, especially young families, can now get a dream house faster. BTN and the government are here to provide convenience, so they don't have to wait years to own their own home, "he said.

Furthermore, Cucun emphasized the importance of state involvement in facing the challenges of housing needs which continues to increase along with population growth. Especially for areas that have population density problems.

"The state must be present to support the fulfillment of household needs, considering that the population growth rate continues to grow. We must remember that the land is limited, and the need for houses will always exist," said Cucun.

"The DPR will certainly support programs that clearly bring convenience to the people because this is a matter of community welfare and the basic rights of citizens that must be fulfilled, namely the right to a decent life, including housing," he continued.

This program is said to be one of the Government's efforts to achieve the target of 3 million houses. In addition, it is also to meet the housing needs of the community, especially for families who do not yet have housing.

"We must ensure that people can get decent housing and according to their needs, without being constrained by limited land or urban population density," concluded Cucun.