Minister Of Home Affairs Tito Asks Local Governments To Copy The Jakarta Flats Program

A number of elementary school students played in the Rusunawa Marunda area, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 3, 2019. (ANTARA-M Risyal Hidayat)

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri) Tito Karnavian encourages all local governments (Pemda) to be able to adopt a low-cost housing program that has been successfully implemented by the Provincial Government of Jakarta.

This was conveyed by Tito while attending the handover of the key to the Rusunawa Pasar Rumput residence at the Pasar Rumput Flats (rusun), Setiabudi District, South Jakarta, DKI Jakarta, Thursday, November 28.

"I really hope that colleagues who are still acting (Pj), acting regional heads, and new regional heads, please make programs like this (cheap housing). Create pro-people programs," Tito said in his statement, confiscated by Antara.

According to him, Jakarta's steps in providing decent housing for low-income people can be an inspiration for other regions.

He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the central, regional and various parties to realize similar programs.

He explained that President Prabowo Subianto really cares about the welfare of the small community, including the provision of decent housing.

To support this vision, the government has separated the function of the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas from the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR). This effort is expected to be able to accelerate housing development.

In addition, Tito also expressed his appreciation to DKI Jakarta Province, Pasar Jaya Regional Company (Perumda), as well as the Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait.

They are considered to have succeeded in reducing residential rental costs to be more affordable.

Furthermore, he emphasized that the cheap housing program is not only the responsibility of the central government, but also the region. He highlighted the huge potential of local governments, considering that almost half of the state budget is at the regional level.

"That if DKI is able, when we are, our regions cannot afford it. If we are not able, it means that the leader we choose needs us to question," he said.

He hopes that this momentum can be the first step to create a big wave of cheap housing development across the country.

"Hopefully this program, this event, will receive blessings from God Almighty, and a bigger wave will occur to all regions," he concluded.