Visiting North Sulawesi, Tito and Ara Inspect People's Housing Programme in Minahasa
Indonesia’s Minister of Home Affairs (Mendagri), Muhammad Tito Karnavian, inspected the progress of several people’s housing programmes in North Sulawesi Province (Sulut). This activity was conducted alongside Indonesia’s Minister of Housing and Human Settlements (PKP), Maruarar Sirait, and Head of the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti.
One of the programmes reviewed was the subsidised housing at Jaya Chidaatma Home Koka Subsidised Housing in Minahasa Regency. During the inspection, Tito directly engaged in discussions with developers and residents in the housing area. Together with Maruarar and Amalia, Tito also gathered aspirations from both developers and residents.
A key focus of the discussions was the permitting services for Building Construction Approvals (PBG) and Acquisition Duty on Land and Buildings (BPHTB) for low-income communities (MBR). Tito emphasised the importance of optimising these services through Public Service Malls (MPP).
“Public Service Malls are extremely beneficial for accelerating these permits. Because in the Public Service Mall, outlets for PBG and BPHTB must be established,” said Tito, in a written statement on Friday (10/4/2026).
Tito further explained that the central government has set policies for PBG and BPHTB permitting for MBR to be provided free of charge.
Tito urged local governments (Pemda) that this policy not only demonstrates the government’s support for the underprivileged but also has the potential to increase regional own-source revenue (PAD).
“If this land remains vacant, as it was before, it only incurs land tax, but once houses like these are built, from next year onwards, they will pay two types: land tax and building tax. The more houses that are built, the greater the PAD,” said Tito.
After reviewing the programme, Tito and his entourage continued their visit to Tempang Dua Village, North Langowan Subdistrict, Minahasa Regency.
The group directly inspected prospective recipients of assistance under the Self-Help Housing Stimulus Programme (BSPS). Additionally, the entourage witnessed a simulation of a people’s tender.
In his remarks, Tito expressed appreciation and support for the people’s housing programme. This programme, he said, represents significant attention from President Prabowo Subianto towards the underprivileged.
“President Prabowo has specifically tasked Mr Ara (Minister of PKP) with this, and I am assisting. Assisting him with various simplified regulations, making it easier,” Tito revealed.
Tito hopes that more local governments and communities will benefit from the programme. He emphasised that the programme not only helps the less fortunate but also holds spiritual value.
“For us, it is an act of worship. Helping the underprivileged with a sincere heart, that is worship,” said Tito.
“May this receive rewards from the Almighty God,” he concluded.