Ministers Yassierli and Ara Visit Purbaya to Discuss Tapera and the Fate of Low-Income Housing

Three ministers held a limited meeting to follow up on President Prabowo Subianto’s directive regarding the construction of subsidised flats for low-income communities (MBR). The ministers were Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) Maruarar Sirait, known as Ara, Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, and Minister of Manpower Yassierli. In addition to discussing subsidised flats for MBR, the meeting also addressed the evaluation and plans for the BP Tapera programme.

The Prabowo administration has commenced a subsidised flat development programme. In the initial phase, 140,000 units will be built in the Cikarang area, Bekasi Regency. Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait stated that approximately 140,000 subsidised flat units would be constructed on 30 hectares of land.

‘Mr James (Lippo Group boss James Riady) spoke directly with me, Mr Hashim (Housing Task Force Chairman Hashim Djojohadikusumo), and the President. The plan is to start building flats for the people in Meikarta this year,’ Ara said at the PKP Ministry office in Central Jakarta on Thursday (15/1/2026). Ara explained that the location has been prepared. The Meikarta area is assessed to have a high demand for housing, particularly from workers and labourers active in the surrounding industrial zones. ‘We will start construction this year, the land is ready, and I think the demand in that area is extraordinary,’ he added.

In its implementation, the government views collaboration with private developers as a means to accelerate flat construction. Ara urged that the project not be delayed and move swiftly into the construction phase. ‘For the flats, I hope there is no delay. Build them immediately, Bu Sri (Director General of Urban Housing at the PKP Ministry Sri Hariyati), Mr James, focus on that,’ he said.