"From the previous investment for one million houses, Qatar will increase investment for five million houses, totaling to six million," he said during a coordination meeting on housing and settlement design in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), on Friday.
Earlier on January 8, 2025, the Indonesian and Qatari governments signed a memorandum of understanding regarding investment for building one million houses for low-income people.
With the investment, which will be carried out via a government-to-government scheme, Qatar has become the first foreign investor to contribute to President Prabowo Subianto's priority program of building three million houses each year.
In addition, Hamzah said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has also expressed interest in housing development investment in Indonesia.
"They keep calling me and showing their interest. Some other countries like Turkey and Russia are also interested," he added.
He explained that the low-income housing program is also part of a charity. A habitable house for the underprivileged can be a pleasant gift for them.
"Business or profit are another issue, but people can have proper housing. They will be happy," Hamzah said.
Earlier, Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Nusron Wahid prepared six points to support Qatar's investment in the housing program.
"We had prepared several points namely land information, land procurement, and protection on rice fields," he said.
They further include the suitability of spatial utilization activities, mortgage rights, and clearing mortgage records.
He emphasized that the President has not permitted the use of rice fields for housing settlements.
"I agree with that one. We propose to limit it. During unnecessary condition, do not use rice fields for this housing program," he added.
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Translator: Sugiharto Purnama, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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