Rano Karno Urges Kebayoran Fire Victims to Relocate to Low-Cost Flats
Rano Karno expressed his intention to encourage residents affected by the recent fire to move to low-cost flats (rusun) during a site visit on Tuesday (2/6/2026). During his visit, Rano engaged in direct dialogue with several residents who lost their homes due to the blaze.
“When I visited the Kebon Kosong area, I realised this is a long-standing historical issue. We hope to resolve this soon,” said Rano. He noted that some residents are reluctant to leave the area due to strong emotional ties to their neighbourhood.
“While passing through, I asked some residents, ‘Would you consider living in a flat?’. They replied, ‘Oh, we were born here; even our umbilical cords are buried here’,” he recounted. Rano stated that while he understands the reasons for residents who have lived there for generations, the high density of the settlement increases the risk of fire and other environmental issues.
“I told them, ‘I was born in Kemayoran, in Kepu. My umbilical cord is also buried in Kemayoran. Do we really want to continue living in such overcrowded conditions?’” he added.
According to Rano, the Jakarta Provincial Government is continuously working to help the community understand that moving to low-cost flats does not mean a decrease in quality of life. On the contrary, flats are seen as providing a more organised environment with better facilities. “We are always trying to make the public aware that it is not about being unsuitable, but rather that living in a flat could be much more decent,” he noted.
Rano mentioned that the settlement issues in Kebon Kosong are not new, and therefore, the government will continue to seek long-term solutions so that residents can live in a safer and more comfortable environment.
The fire in the Kebon Kosong area has affected hundreds of buildings. According to preliminary data from the Jakarta Provincial Government, 304 buildings were impacted, affecting a total of 354 heads of households or 679 individuals.
Currently, the Jakarta Provincial Government has established an evacuation centre at Yusuf Hamka Field, equipped with health services, public kitchens, logistical aid, and psychological support for the victims. Regarding potential assistance for rebuilding homes, Rano stated that the government will first conduct data collection and further discussions regarding the form of aid that can be provided. “Providing help to rebuild houses is relatively straightforward, but providing budget assistance is certain. We will discuss that later,” he concluded.