The construction of 2,603 housing units will be fully funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes, without using the State Budget (APBN).Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) Minister Maruarar Sirait said construction of permanent homes for disaster-affected communities in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra is set to begin this month.
He said that in the initial phase, 2,603 permanent housing units have been prepared and will be built immediately, even as disaster management in the affected regions remains in the emergency response phase.
“At present, 2,603 housing units are ready to be built for our 'brothers and sisters' in Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra. These are not temporary shelters, but permanent homes. We hope that construction can begin in the near future,” said Sirait in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday.
The construction of 2,603 housing units will be fully funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) schemes, without using the State Budget (APBN). Of the total, 2,500 units will be financed by the Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation, while the remaining 103 units will be funded through a personal contribution from the Housing Minister.
The initial construction phase will begin in North Sumatra with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for this week, allowing affected residents to quickly regain decent, safe, and dignified housing.
Sirait also emphasized the need for regulatory flexibility while maintaining legal compliance and accountability.
“Regulations must not hinder the state from helping its people,” he said.
He added that he has proposed to the Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (PMK) to immediately convene a coordination meeting with law enforcement agencies, including the National Police (Polri), the Attorney General’s Office and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), as well as to coordinate with the Audit Board of Indonesia (BPK) and the Financial and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP).
“Through this coordination meeting, land regulation issues can be reconciled quickly. We must work in accordance with the rules, but also move fast, as that is the President’s directive,” said Sirait.
Regarding the selection of relocation sites, he stressed that there are three main criteria that must be met. The first is legal certainty, ensuring the land is free from disputes.
The second is technical feasibility, guaranteeing that the location is truly safe from disaster risks such as floods and landslides. The third is the socio-economic aspect and the sustainability of community life.
“Housing is not just about buildings. People’s lives are being relocated as well. That is why access to schools for children, workplaces for parents, markets, and other basic services must be carefully considered. The community’s living ecosystem must be the top priority,” said Sirait.
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Translator: Aji Cakti
Editor: Arie Novarina
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