Meikarta Project Revived as Lippo CEO Reveals Unexpected Details
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The government is speeding up the construction of Meikarta’s subsidized housing for low-income earners (MBR). Ministry of Housing and Settlement (PKP) Minister Maruarar Sirait stated that construction progress is on track.
“Construction progress is currently on schedule and has entered the test pile stage. Out of a total of 8,600 piles, 1,836 have been installed,” he said at the site on Sunday (31 May 2026).
He emphasised that accelerating construction must still adhere to quality standards and applicable regulations. In this project, the PKP Ministry acts as the policy maker and regulator. Financing and construction are handled through Danantara, while the land is a 30-hectare donation from Lippo for three development sites.
The project is expected to provide approximately 141,000 housing units across the three prepared sites.
“This is one of the largest vertical housing projects aimed at helping working-class families access decent homes near economic and industrial hubs,” he added.
The timeline for the subsidized housing project began with land clearing in February 2026, followed by ground breaking in March 2026, structural construction starting in August 2026, with completion targeted for August 2028.
Meanwhile, Lippo Group CEO James Riady expressed anticipation for residents to move into the subsidized housing soon. “We are eagerly awaiting the residents who will occupy this subsidized housing. Our target is completion by August 2028, followed by handover,” he said.
James Riady also explained that the Meikarta area is one of Southeast Asia’s largest industrial zones. “The Meikarta area is one of the largest industrial zones in Southeast Asia. Around 50% of Indonesia’s industries are located here, with thousands of factories,” he explained.
He stated that the subsidized housing project is a crucial solution for workers in the industrial area. “We want factory workers to have homes close to their workplaces, improving their quality of life and making transportation more efficient,” he added.
He also noted the project’s significant economic impact on national growth. “According to our calculations, the Meikarta project could contribute 0.4% to 0.8% to GDP, making a substantial impact on economic growth,” James Riady said.
Acting Regent of Bekasi Asep Surya Atmaja also expressed appreciation for the central government’s attention to housing development in Bekasi Regency. “We fully support housing construction for the public, including subsidized housing, as housing demand in Bekasi continues to rise,” he said.
He confirmed the permitting process is progressing smoothly. “Permitting is currently with the Cipta Karya Office and all requirements are 100% met. We will issue the permit as soon as possible to accelerate construction,” Asep Surya Atmaja stated.