Housing Minister Ara to Build Low-Income Apartment Block in Denpasar, Koster Proposes ISI Lecturers
Indonesia’s Housing and Settlement Development Minister Maruarar Sirait will construct a low-income residential apartment block (rusun) specifically for low-income earners in Denpasar. The development site is located behind the Samsat Drive Thru office on Jalan Raya Sesetan in South Denpasar.
“I was discussing and enquiring because I believe Balinese artists have made significant contributions to tourism, the Balinese economy and Indonesia’s economy,” said the minister, commonly known as Ara, when met at the site. “I asked the director of urban housing development and the governor whether there has ever been an apartment block built for artists before.”
According to Ara, the project represents synergy between the central government and regional authorities in providing housing for artists in the low-income category. “The land comes from the governor, and we are funding the construction from the national budget. This is positive synergy between the provincial government and the central government,” he explained.
Ara also emphasised the need to support the livelihoods of Balinese artists. He stated that the government’s objective of providing housing for low-income earners could be realised across all sectors of society. However, Ara stressed that the technical implementation must adhere to existing regulations.
The construction of the low-income apartment block in Denpasar will require Rp 48 billion from the national budget, with a construction period of nine months, commencing in June 2026 and concluding in March 2027.
In response to the low-income housing project for artists, Bali Governor Wayan Koster proposed that lecturers from Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Denpasar should be given priority. He noted that many ISI lecturers earn low salaries. “This could be for ISI lecturers whose salaries are still low. There is no one earning Rp 8 million; it is certainly below Rp 8 million, even below Rp 6 million,” Koster said.