Minister Ara Wants Senen Temporary Housing Residents to Harvest Chillies and Fish, But When?

Jakarta - The government has confirmed that progress on the Senen Housing project, built to relocate residents from the railway trackside, is continuing. The Senen Housing was built on a 1.61-hectare plot of land and provides 324 housing units complete with various supporting facilities. The area is prepared as a more suitable living space for residents who previously lived along the railway tracks.

“I was last there a week or ten days ago, and I saw that it is already quite good, it has been built and I checked several houses and they are also quite good,” said Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) Maruarar Sirait at the DPR on Wednesday (17/6/2026).

During his visit, Maruarar admitted he still found several things that need to be improved before the area is truly used optimally by residents, concerning not only the buildings but also aspects of environmental comfort.

“I had several notes at that time, such as regarding the lighting so that the back part is fulfilled. Then, the area still has space, if it can be used for example for productive plants, such as chillies or something that can improve the economy of the residents, including fish cultivation,” said Maruarar.

On the other hand, Maruarar has not yet explained the contract value for the construction of Senen Housing. He directed that such details would be more appropriately conveyed by the parties directly involved in the project’s construction.

The construction of Senen Housing itself is the result of a collaboration between several state-owned enterprises. This project was even completed faster than the completion target previously set by the government.

“It was Mr Doni Oskaria (Chief Operating Officer of the Danantara Investment Management Agency) who built it with Wika, PP, and if I’m not mistaken one more, there were three. Check the figures with them,” said Ara.