Much State Land Controlled by Others, Maruarar: Managing Indonesia Requires Guts

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Minister for Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP), Maruarar Sirait (Ara), has stressed that the government must have the courage to manage Indonesia effectively.

Ara stated that state lands in strategic locations should be utilised for the benefit of the people.

However, much of the state land, especially that owned by PT Kereta Api Indonesia along railway tracks, is controlled by other parties.

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

Thus, state land must be used for the people’s benefit.

He also affirmed 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.

“So that we can utilise state lands for people’s housing,” added Ara.