December 15, 2025 | 06:54 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto said the government will soon begin constructing both temporary and permanent housing for residents displaced by the Sumatra disaster.
He said the plan follows a report from Public Works and Public Housing Minister Maruarar Sirait, who confirmed that construction of around 2,000 housing units is scheduled to start on Sunday, December 21.
“It is possible that these houses can immediately function as permanent residences,” Prabowo said during a plenary cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Monday, December 15, 2025.
State Land to Be Used
Prabowo stressed that land availability should not hinder the project. He said the government would use state-owned land for the housing sites, including land controlled by state-owned plantation firm PTPN and, if necessary, forest concession areas.
“If needed, we will use PTPN land, and if necessary, forest concessions. Land must not become an obstacle,” he said.
The president added that funding for the housing program has already been secured through the state budget (APBN), made possible by budget-cutting measures introduced early in his administration.
“We have saved hundreds of trillions of rupiah,” Prabowo said.
He acknowledged that the efficiency policy has drawn criticism and protests. “I am being attacked and criticized for this efficiency. It may be the first time in the world that people protest against efficiency,” he said.
Prabowo said the policy aligns with Article 33 paragraph (4) of Indonesia’s 1945 Constitution, which mandates that the national economy be organized based on economic democracy, efficiency, fairness, and shared prosperity. He argued that budget efficiency is intended to reduce leakages and corruption.
“Some oppose efficiency. But with efficiency, we now have the capacity and the strength to act,” he said.
Temporary and Permanent Housing Plans
Earlier, National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) head Suharyanto said the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police would build temporary shelters for disaster victims.
The 36-square-meter units, each costing around Rp30 million, are expected to be completed within six months. Permanent housing, meanwhile, will be built with an estimated budget of Rp60 million per unit.
Possible Revocation of Land-Use Permits
Prabowo has also signaled his willingness to temporarily revoke or reduce land-use permits to accelerate housing construction.
“If necessary, land-use permits can be temporarily revoked or reduced. This is a more urgent public interest. There must be land,” he said during a coordination meeting with ministers and state agencies in Aceh on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
Read: Prabowo Slams Regents for Leaving Their Regions During Disasters
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