On its 54th Anniversary, REI Dominates Government Policies in the Housing Sector
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - As it reaches its 54th year, Real Estate Indonesia (REI) is not only recognised as a property developers’ organisation but has also contributed to shaping several government policies in the housing sector.
Policies ranging from high-rise flats (rusun) for low-income communities (MBR), relaxations in financing regulations, to discussions on greening housing, are said to have emerged from various inputs from REI to the government.
Housing and Settlement Areas Minister Maruarar Sirait revealed this when responding to Kompas.com in Kota Baru, Lampung, on Thursday (7/5/2026).
During the 54th Anniversary celebration of REI, the Minister, often called Ara, stated that many constructive ideas from REI have been accommodated in the policies of the Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas.
“Many smart, constructive thoughts from REI that I have received, including earlier about trees. Then about the relaxation (SLIK) of OJK (Financial Services Authority) that we fought for recently, that was also input from REI,” said Ara.
“The recent PKP Ministerial Regulation for subsidised urban rusun also incorporated a lot of thoughts from REI into our regulations,” she added.
For Ara, the success of housing policies must align three interests simultaneously: those of the state, society, and the business world.
The Gerindra politician assessed that the state must provide decent and affordable housing, society should have easy access to homes, while the business world retains space to grow.
“The business world that wants to build subsidised and commercial houses are the developers. We must create fair and good regulations for everyone,” she said.
According to her, in the last five years, the construction of subsidised urban high-rise flats has only reached around 140 units. Therefore, regulatory improvements are needed to accelerate development.
One project currently being promoted by the government is the development of the Meikarta area, prepared as an integrated residential zone with an industrial area.
“In Meikarta alone, we are preparing 141,000 units. Very close to industrial areas, places of worship, schools, and markets. So, the ecosystem is already good,” she stated.
Besides Meikarta, the government is also preparing housing developments in Depok, Bogor, Tangerang, Bekasi, Jakarta, up to Medan and Deli Serdang, both for high-rise flats and new cities.