Interior Minister and Housing Minister Monitor Slum Settlement Project in Kubu Raya, Focus on Data Harmonisation
Interior Minister (Mendagri) Muhammad Tito Karnavian, together with Housing and Settlement Area Minister (PKP) Maruarar Sirait, directly inspected the implementation of the Slum Settlement Infrastructure and Facilities Handling Programme in Parit Baru Village, Kubu Raya Regency, West Kalimantan, on Monday 2 March. The visit aimed to ensure that basic infrastructure development progress proceeded according to schedule and reached the intended beneficiaries.
During the visit, both ministers interacted directly with residents and relevant parties to evaluate project progress, which included improvements to housing units and environmental management. The government reaffirmed its commitment to continuously improving settlement quality, particularly in areas requiring greater attention.
The Interior Minister emphasised that the accuracy of data on unsuitable housing units was key to formulating appropriate policies. He therefore reminded regional governments (Pemda) to work together with the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) to ensure that the data used was accurate and reflected actual field conditions.
“This data reconciliation is extremely important to ensure no errors in policy formulation. We must ensure the data is correct, from names to registered addresses,” Tito stated firmly.
According to him, accurate data would provide a strong foundation for regional governments and relevant parties to design more appropriate policies, so that programmes such as improving settlement quality truly reached communities in need.
The Interior Minister also encouraged Kubu Raya Regency Government and BPS to meet together, conduct verification, and comprehensively harmonise data to ensure no areas were overlooked.
Meanwhile, Housing Minister Maruarar Sirait added that the government had various programmes to help Low-Income Communities (MBR) obtain decent housing. These programmes included waiving Building Permit (PBG) fees and Land and Building Acquisition Rights Fee (BPHTB) for low-income communities, as well as People’s Business Credit (KUR) Housing facilities.
With synergy between central government, regional government, and BPS, it was hoped that slum settlement quality could improve significantly, creating a better and more habitable environment for communities.