President orders construction of decent housing for Senen railway trackside residents
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Prabowo Subianto has instructed several ministries and agencies to construct housing for residents still living along the railway tracks, after previously inspecting settlements around the rail line in the Senen area of Jakarta.
Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya stated in an official social media post in Jakarta on Friday that the President has ordered the Minister of Public Works Dody Hanggodo, the Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas Maruarar Sirait, Perum Perumnas, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero), and related officials to build homes and bathing, washing, and toilet (MCK) facilities for the community still residing along the Senen railway tracks.
“Today, the team is already moving to process the construction of new housing and MCK facilities located not far from their original settlement area,” said Cabinet Secretary Teddy.
He mentioned that during the President’s inspection of the Senen railway fringe area on Thursday (26/3), residents reported that they had lived in the railway fringe area for decades with limited housing and roofing conditions.
“And the President wants these residents to be provided with decent housing and MCK facilities to occupy as soon as possible,” he said.
Previously, President Prabowo Subianto directly inspected the densely populated settlement along the Senen railway embankment in Jakarta on Thursday afternoon, surprising residents as it was unannounced.
The Government Communication Agency stated that upon arriving at the location, the President stepped out of his vehicle and greeted the community. Residents from various backgrounds appeared enthusiastic, approaching to shake hands and directly convey their aspirations.
“This afternoon, I walked through the settlements along the railway tracks in the Senen area, Central Jakarta. Located about 3 km from the city centre of Jakarta. Listening to the aspirations of the people there,” the President said in a statement on Thursday.
Prabowo stated that the government will move quickly to prepare the construction of decent housing for the railway embankment residents.
He said that providing decent and safe housing is the government’s determination in improving public welfare.
“InsyaAllah, we will soon build decent housing for the community in that area quickly, and it has become my determination to provide decent housing for the Indonesian people,” he said.