Prabowo calls ministers to push housing plan for rail-side residents

Sirait confirmed the agenda, noting that the president would chair a limited coordination meeting to advance plans to upgrade slum areas near railways not only in Jakarta but also in Bandung, West Java, and Medan, North Sumatra.

“Our plans cover many locations. The land in Tanah Abang is state-owned and of strategic value, as are those in Bandung and Medan. We intend to tap these lands for the people’s benefit; the state must be present in this matter,” he told the press.

The minister said he had inspected a site in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta. Earlier in the morning, he visited Bandung alongside Bobby Rasidin, president director of state-run railway company PT KAI, who was also summoned to the palace.

“A great deal of state land is under the control of other parties, and we intend to reclaim it to serve the interests of the state and the people. This move is particularly oriented toward low and middle-income citizens,” Sirait explained.

He called for synergy among relevant stakeholders to expedite implementation.

Also arriving at the palace, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Brian Yuliarto stressed that his team is ready to support the housing plans through studies and research on technology in pursuit of efficiency.

The housing program stemmed from President Prabowo Subianto’s visit to a railway slum in Senen, Central Jakarta, on March 26.

“God willing, we will soon build proper housing for residents in the area. It is my determination to provide decent dwellings for the Indonesian people,” he remarked after inspecting the site and conversing with locals.

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Translator: Maria C, Tegar Nurfitra