Minister Maruarar: We Will Discuss Amicably to Reclaim KAI Land Occupied by Residents

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP), Maruarar Sirait, often called Ara, stated that the state will have amicable discussions with communities occupying KAI land.

Ara did not clarify whether the communities in question are mass organisations or not.

“Of course, it could be communities, it could be… We will discuss it amicably. The key point is that state land, as directed by President Prabowo, is to be used for state interests, including in several locations in the regions that we will announce later,” Ara said during a press conference at the Palace in Jakarta on Monday (6/4/2026).

However, he emphasised that the land belongs to KAI but has been occupied by communities.

“Then, yesterday in Tanah Abang, we saw several locations as well. We will communicate because it is state land, which is certainly to be used for the interests of the state and the Indonesian people,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Ara mentioned that President Prabowo Subianto will announce major steps to bring about changes to the housing of residents along railway tracks.

“At the appropriate time, there will be major steps announced by the President to make significant changes on how these state lands are being prepared by Mr Nusron at several land points. It will be announced in due course,” Ara added.

Ara stated that state lands in strategic locations must be utilised for the people’s interests.

However, state lands, especially those owned by KAI along railway tracks, are mostly controlled by other parties.

“In Tanah Abang, the state land is very strategic, in Bandung very strategic, in Medan very strategic. We must use it for the people’s and state’s interests; the state must be present. In managing this country, we must have the courage to uphold the truth,” Ara said at the Palace in Jakarta on Monday (6/4/2026).

He also emphasised that he would not hesitate to reclaim state land controlled by other parties.

In the future, these lands will be utilised for low-income communities, such as building decent housing for them.

“There is a lot of state land controlled by other parties. And we will reclaim it for the state’s and people’s interests. Especially for low-income communities and also middle and lower-middle ones,” he said.