PKP Ministry Opens BSPS Housing Aid Programme Nominations Widely
The Ministry of Housing and Residential Areas (PKP) has announced that the nomination process for the Self-Help Housing Stimulant Assistance (BSPS) programme is now open as widely as possible. Speaking at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday, Fitrah Nur, Director General of Residential Areas at the PKP Ministry, stated that the mechanism now begins with an expanded nomination phase. ‘If we look at the mechanism, it starts with the nomination. This nomination is now opened as widely as possible,’ he said.
Fitrah explained that previously, only members of the House of Representatives and regional heads could nominate beneficiaries. Now, nominations are open to lawmakers, regional heads, community leaders, heads of mass organisations and non-governmental organisations. ‘That is why we are now opening all channels so that all members of the public can make nominations without any restrictions,’ he added.
The ministry is currently studying a mechanism to allow members of the public to nominate themselves directly. ‘We are currently trying to figure out whether the public can nominate themselves. We are thinking about the mechanism, because if it is not prepared properly, there is a backlog of 26.9 million uninhabitable homes,’ Fitrah stated.
He noted that nominations must now be submitted through the Housing Assistance Information System (SIBARU), ending the previous practice of regional heads submitting physical proposal documents. ‘Those nominating must enter the system, it is called the Housing Assistance Information System (SIBARU),’ he said. An initial verification will be conducted digitally with assistance from the Data and Information Centre (Pusdatin), checking the national identity numbers (NIK) as many duplicate NIKs have been discovered. ‘There are also many unscrupulous nominations, such as individuals who have previously received BSPS being nominated again,’ Fitrah said.
After passing the initial verification, the process moves to a verification instruction at the Housing and Residential Area Provision Implementing Centres (Balai), which execute the programme. ‘Because the implementation is at the Balai. So the BSPS budget is entirely distributed to the Balai,’ he explained. The PKP Ministry oversees 19 implementing centres and 38 working units.
For context, Minister of Housing and Residential Areas Maruarar Sirait has reminded all staff, regional governments, and working partners to maintain transparency and ensure no misappropriation of the budget in the implementation of the BSPS programme. Minister Maruarar Sirait stressed that he will not hesitate to take firm legal action if any individuals are found to be cutting or misusing the rights of the poor. He explained that the home renovation programme is a flagship initiative under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto, aimed at ensuring decent housing rights for the public are met swiftly and on a massive scale.