Ibas: Big Country Not Because Of The Tower, But People Don't Sleep On The Street

Deputy Chairperson of the MPR Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas) (ANTARA/HO-MPR)

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairperson of the MPR Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono alias Ibas said National Housing Day 2025 is commemorated to remind big countries not because of towers, but people are not forced to sleep on the streets because they do not have a house.

Houses, according to him, are not only physical buildings, but the foundation of welfare, dignity, and the future of the nation, so no one of these nation's citizens must lose their place of return, just because they cannot afford to buy a house.

"The country prospers not only in funds, but children grow up at home comfortable. Not the height of the building is a sign of victory, but a house that is worthy of all," said Ibas as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, August 26.

He also invited all elements of the nation to strengthen national collaboration in responding to the big challenges of housing and accelerating the realization of decent, healthy, and dignified houses for all Indonesian people. Access to decent housing is a constitutional mandate that must continue to be fought for together.

As is known, the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia in Article 28 H paragraph (1) states that every citizen has the right to be able to live in prosperity, physically and mentally, live in a good and healthy environment.

Following up on this, according to Ibas, a decent house for all is not just a slogan, but a form of social justice that must be fought for. He emphasized that houses are the basic rights of citizens to grow and develop the soul of the nation.

Ibas also assessed that the gap in housing needs and housing availability or housing backlog nationally is still high, reaching 9.9 million backlog ownership (78.87 percent in urban areas) and 26.9 million backlogs for uninhabitable houses (56.64 percent in urban areas), according to data from the 2023 National Socio-Economic Survey.

Not to mention the addition of around 700 thousand new families that are formed every year and require housing. That way, he assessed that the housing system and supply for the country were still far behind.

According to him, the current demographic bonus condition can be a blessing, if there is a decent home for the younger generation. However, otherwise, it will be a social burden.

"Therefore, we oversee so that our young generation has a place to live that deserves to grow, learn, and dream," he said.

Therefore, Ibas invites all parties to synergize, because housing development is not a matter for one ministry, but the result of collaboration between the central and regional governments, legislature, SOEs, the private sector, and citizen participation.

"Now, under President Prabowo, we hope to expand coverage, improve quality, and maintain strong governance," he said.