NasDem Warns of Risks to Senen Railway Track Residents, Supports Construction of Flats

The NasDem faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD agrees with President Prabowo Subianto’s plan to build housing for residents along the railway tracks in the Senen area, Central Jakarta. NasDem states that residents’ homes along the tracks are vulnerable to accidents.

“We from the NasDem Faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD in principle welcome and fully support Mr President Prabowo Subianto’s initiative to provide decent housing for residents who have been living along the railway tracks in the Senen area,” said Chairman of the NasDem Faction of the DKI Jakarta DPRD Ahmad Lukman Jupiter to reporters on Sunday (29/3/2026).

Jupiter views the construction of housing for Senen trackside residents as a manifestation of the state’s presence in providing decent accommodation. Moreover, he said, the houses along the Senen tracks carry high risks.

“Moreover, the conditions of housing along the tracks have indeed posed high risks, both in terms of safety and health,” he explained.

The member of Commission B of the DKI Jakarta DPRD has also heard that the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government supports Prabowo’s plan. However, NasDem provides several important notes on the housing construction plan.

“Relocation must be humane and participatory. Relocation of residents is indeed necessary, given that trackside areas are not designated for housing. But the process must be carried out persuasively, dialogically, and without coercion, involving residents in every stage,” he said.

NasDem also reminds about the certainty of replacement housing. He hopes that the flats to be built are not far from residents’ sources of livelihood.

“The government must ensure that replacement housing—whether in the form of flats or otherwise—is habitable, affordable, and not far from residents’ sources of livelihood,” he said.

“Relocation is not just about moving places of residence, but must also be accompanied by guarantees of residents’ economic sustainability, including access to employment, education, and transportation,” he added.

In addition, NasDem hopes for sustainable area management. According to him, areas along the tracks must not be illegally occupied.

“Enforcement along the tracks must be followed by area management to prevent illegal re-occupation in the future,” he explained.

PDIP Reminds That Flats Should Be for Jakarta ID Card Holders

Meanwhile, Member of Commission D of the DKI Jakarta DPRD from PDIP Ida Mahmudah said that the land along the Senen tracks belongs to PT Kereta Api Indonesia. She supports the construction of housing for residents living along those tracks.

“That land belongs to DJKA if it’s along the Senen railway tracks; it’s indeed under central authority. What needs further attention is that if it’s to be built, maintenance or supervision is necessary because it’s prone to train accidents, or perhaps permanent high fencing so that flat residents don’t easily cross,” said Ida when contacted separately.

Ida emphasised that once the flats are built, the residents must be those holding Jakarta ID cards. She also reminded about housing safety aspects.

“But if it’s along the tracks or DJKA land to be developed into flats by the central government and intended for DKI Jakarta residents, why not support it. I support it as long as it doesn’t make these residents suffer because there are flats near the railway tracks,” she said.

Prabowo to Build Flats for Senen Trackside Residents

Previously, Prabowo met with residents or conducted a walkabout along the railway tracks in the Senen area, Central Jakarta. After absorbing the community’s aspirations, Prabowo ordered several ministers and PT KAI leaders to build decent housing for residents living along the railway tracks in the Senen area.

“Last night, after the walkabout greeting residents along the railway tracks in the Senen area, Central Jakarta,” wrote Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya on the Setkab Instagram account on Friday (27/3).

Prabowo gave those orders to Minister of Transportation Maruarar Sirait, Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo, Acting Director of Perumnas Imelda Alini Pohan, and President Director of PT KAI Bobby Rasyidin. The orders were given in a limited meeting led by Prabowo.

“President Prabowo directly ordered the Minister of Housing via telephone as he was in Toba (represented by the Secretary General of the Ministry), the Minister of Public Works, the Director of Perumnas and KAI (Kereta Api Indonesia), as well as several related officials to build housing for residents still living along the railway tracks,” he said.