Housing Minister Warns Governors: Housing Must Not Be Restricted to Civil Servants Only

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) Maruarar Sirait received an audience with the governors of North Sulawesi and South Papua to discuss support for housing programmes in regional areas.

The meeting addressed proposals for the development of subsidised apartment complexes and enhanced housing assistance for Low-Income Communities (MBR).

During the audience, North Sulawesi Governor Yulius Selvanus Komaling presented the availability of 27 hectares of land in Manado city for the construction of housing for Civil Service Personnel (ASN).

“We have 27 hectares of land in Manado city. We are working to use this for civil servant housing, because many of our civil servants do not yet own homes,” Yulius stated during the audience at the Housing and Settlement Ministry office in Jakarta on Friday (27 February 2026).

Responding to the proposal, Maruarar—commonly known as Ara—emphasised that housing policy should not focus solely on civil servants, but rather on society at large.

“I want to change the approach. Previously, we always prioritised government employees. This year, I am shifting focus towards more programmes for the general public, rather than exclusively for government officials,” said Ara.

Yulius subsequently proposed a mixed-scheme approach.

“A combination, Sir,” Yulius replied.

Ara approved the approach but reiterated the importance of housing access for the broader population, including informal sector workers.

“Yes, Sir. Absolutely, Sir. And we must also build housing not just for those with salaries, such as civil servants, military, or police. We must also be able to provide subsidised housing to noodle vendors, chicken sellers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and domestic workers,” Ara stressed.

He stated that access to subsidised housing must also reach communities without fixed incomes or informal workers.

“So that people without fixed salaries can still have access to affordable housing and own a home asset. Like the BP Tapera scheme. That is what I mean we should do, Sir. Not just civil servants,” he continued.

Ara emphasised that whilst civil servants remain a government priority, policies must not be exclusive.

“Yes, civil servants must continue to receive attention, Sir. I agree. But not just civil servants—the public must also be cared for. Not just civil servants, Sir,” he said.

According to him, regional governments have the authority to formulate schemes and regulations that benefit the people.

“You can create schemes, you can create regulations. But we must create regulations that are pro-people. We must think hard about how to make people satisfied,” said Ara.

He stressed that government policy must be relevant and needed.

“In my view, we are formulating state policies. We can create people-friendly regulations. Therefore, I say, a state policy must be needed—the people must need it, the world must need it. Only then can it be called a true policy,” he concluded.