Home Affairs Minister Tito Reviews Progress of People's Housing Programme in Minahasa
Home Affairs Minister (Mendagri) Muhammad Tito Karnavian, together with the Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) Maruarar Sirait and the Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti, reviewed the realisation of several people’s housing programmes in North Sulawesi Province (Sulut) on Thursday (9/4).
One of the locations visited by the entourage was the subsidised housing area at Jaya Chidaatma Home Koka Subsidised Housing, Minahasa Regency. During the visit, Tito engaged directly in discussions with developers and resident occupants to gather aspirations regarding the implementation of the people’s housing programme.
One key focus of the discussion was the licensing services for Building Construction Approval (PBG) and Acquisition Duty on Land and Buildings (BPHTB) for low-income communities (MBR). The Home Affairs Minister emphasised the importance of optimising these services through Public Service Malls (MPP).
“Public Service Malls are extremely beneficial for accelerating these permits. Because in Public Service Malls, outlets for PBG and BPHTB must be established,” said the Home Affairs Minister.
He also explained that the central government has set policies for waiving PBG and BPHTB fees for MBR. According to him, this policy not only helps low-income communities obtain decent housing but also has the potential to increase regional own-source revenue (PAD).
“If this land was empty before, it only paid land tax, but once houses are built like this, from next year onwards, they will pay two types: land tax and building tax. The more houses that are built, the more PAD there will be,” he stated.
After reviewing the programme, the Home Affairs Minister and the entourage continued their visit to Tempang Dua Village, North Langowan Subdistrict, Minahasa Regency. The group directly inspected prospective recipients of the Self-Help Housing Stimulus Assistance (BSPS) programme. In addition, the entourage witnessed a simulation of the people’s tender.
In his remarks, the Home Affairs Minister expressed appreciation and support for the people’s housing programme. The programme, he said, represents significant attention from President Prabowo Subianto to low-income communities.
“Father President Prabowo has specifically tasked Mr Ara (PKP Minister) with this, and I am assisting. Assisting him with various simplified regulations, making it easier,” the Home Affairs Minister revealed.
The Home Affairs Minister hopes that more local governments and communities will benefit from the programme. He stressed that the programme not only helps underprivileged communities but also holds religious value.
“For us, it is an act of worship. Helping underprivileged communities with a sincere heart, that is worship. May this receive rewards from the Almighty God,” he concluded.