Dudung: Land for Malang City's Sekolah Rakyat Building Still Under Discussion
Malang, East Java (ANTARA) - The Chief of Staff to the Presidency (KSP), General (Ret.) Dudung Abdurachman, stated that the construction of permanent buildings for People’s Schools (Sekolah Rakyat) in Malang City, East Java, is being continuously communicated with various parties before implementation.
“In truth, the facilities can be used, but the land is still owned by the sub-district (kelurahan). I will communicate this with the Department of Public Works, the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), and the Ministry of Social Affairs to ensure construction can proceed promptly,” said Dudende following a visit to Middle School (SRMP) 16 in the Malang City Polytechnic (Poltekom) building on Friday.
He noted that SRMP 16 Malang, which currently utilises the Poltekom building located on Jalan Raya Tlogowaru, Kedung Kandang District, is a pilot school.
“I have spoken with the Regional Secretary (of Malang City); land tenure is not a simple matter as it could lead to audits by the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK) and other complications. It must be concrete, orderly, and in accordance with procedure,” he added.
Although SRMP 16 Malang at Poltekom is still in its pilot phase, the building’s condition is considered sufficiently adequate for teaching and learning activities.
The government continues to strive to provide maximum support for the existence of People’s Schools, which has become one of the priority programmes of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto.
KSP Dudung revealed that students at the facility have shown positive development thanks to the hard work of all educators who consistently instil character and moral education.
“There are even high achievers. It is the President’s hope that no more children are left without schooling, and we must be brave in eradicating poverty,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Social Affairs, Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning Office (Dinsos P3AP2KB), Donny Sandito, stated that the Malang City Government has submitted several land options for the construction of People’s School buildings to the Ministry of Public Works (PU).
These options include the Poltekom building and land near the Ken Arok Sports Centre (GOR), both located in the Kedungkandang District.
“The Poltekom site was not approved because the Ministry of Public Works essentially prefers vacant land so that construction can start from scratch. We then proposed the area next to GOR Ken Arok, but it turns out part of it is designated as city green open space (RTH),” said Donny.
The Malang City Government has subsequently submitted a third land option located in the Arjowinangun area, Kedungkandang District.
“The existing site there is a football field, which is also classified as green open space; this has been coordinated,” he concluded.