KDM Urges Gen Z to Prioritise Paying Off a Home Over Lavish Wedding Parties

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (KDM) delivered an important message to Gen Z couples planning their weddings. At the Collaboration Programme for People’s Economic Financing and Empowerment event in Bandung Regency on Monday (13/4/2026), KDM urged young pairs to manage their finances more wisely for future family resilience. Funds usually allocated for grand wedding parties, he said, should instead be diverted to down payments for purchasing a home. According to him, the fleeting prestige of a lavish wedding often becomes a financial burden, especially if funded by debt. “Rather than holding a big party, it’s better to use the money for a housing down payment. A party just makes you king for one night. But if you own a house, you’ll be king forever,” KDM stated, met with laughter and applause from the audience. He also highlighted a prevalent social phenomenon. Many young couples force themselves to hold extravagant parties with grand decorations. However, these are often financed through informal loans such as ‘bank emok’ or online loans (pinjol). He assessed that this consumptive pattern must be changed for the economic independence of new families in West Java. “It’s more important for us to have a nikah at the KUA in the morning and be able to go home to our own house in the afternoon, even if still paying instalments. Agree or not?” KDM exclaimed, immediately answered with a unanimous “Agree” from the audience. Housing policy synergy In his capacity as Governor, KDM expressed appreciation to the relevant ministries for continuously rolling out housing subsidy programmes in West Java. He emphasised that providing decent housing, including the renovation programme for Unfit Houses (Rutilahu), is one of the main pillars in improving community welfare. KDM hopes that collaboration between the West Java Provincial Government and the central government will facilitate easier access to homeownership for the younger generation. For him, a house is not merely a physical asset, but a symbol of dignity and the foundation of family independence. A house, according to him, is a very basic need. Do not let the prestige of one night burden a family’s future with prolonged debt. “Let us build a new, more productive and realistic culture for a more prosperous West Java.”