Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia during Inauguration of Millennial Housing for Indonesia at Samesta Mahata Margonda, Depok City, West Java Province, April 13, 2023

This is what big cities need, a vertical housing, not only in Jakarta Greater areas, but in big cities throughout Indonesia. There are a lot of rail company KAI’s lands in city centers. These transit-oriented development (TOD) areas must be used for housing like this. So that the lack of housing experienced by both millennials and the community can be solved properly. And most importantly, the public can quickly reach all destinations they want, such as university, hospital, or city center. They can use train and it will only take up to 10-15 minutes.

I think housing that is integrated with mass transportation what is needed. Everyone should not use private car that can cause traffic jams everywhere. I think in long term this is a good move.

Press

Sir, there are lots of houses with affordable prices located in Jakarta Greater areas, such as Depok, Bogor, Tangerang. What is the transportation access like?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
There are many choices. Mass transportation is available, such as train, MRT and LRT. It is available at some TOD points. That is what the Government should prepare immediately. Since it is not easy if we build it at all housing outside Jakarta because of the land clearing issue. For the TOD, the land is already clear and the Government can use the land to build transportation access. The most important thing is the public has options, be it for the public living in Jakarta or in Jakarta Greater areas. We provide options and the public can choose one that fits them best.

Press
Ahead of Eid Al-Fitr, do you organize open house?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
It’s been three years since we didn’t have iftar and open house on Eid Al-Fitr. Now I’m giving everyone the freedom to meet their extended family, to meet their friends, to meet their neighbors.

Press
Sir, it’s about the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows that COVID-19 number of cases is surging again in several countries. Any directives ahead of public homecoming?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
First, vaccination is important, vaccine booster is important. Those who haven’t got booster shot are advised to get one immediately.

Second, from our serosurvey, our immunity has reached 98.5 percent, which means it’s very high. But be careful for those who haven’t been vaccinated or had a booster, immediately ask for the vaccine so that everyone is protected from COVID-19. Indeed there is an increase, but we are still far below the WHO standards. The WHO standard is around 8,000 cases and we are at 600 to 900 cases. I think we are still being under control.

Press
Sir, regarding the 81 million millennials who don’t have a house, what do you think the solution to this problem will be in the future, especially in other areas?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I have ordered the Minister to build TOD in all areas, not only in Jakarta Greater areas but also in other regions, including Surabaya, Medan, Semarang, Bandung, Makassar, Palembang.

Press
Any target, Sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You can ask Minister of SOE.

Press
Sir, regarding financial rights for the Nusantara Capital Authority employees, will the Presidential Regulation be issued soon?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I will immediately sign it the moment it arrives on my desk. But in the making of a Presidential Regulation, we need to calculate all allowances and it requires inter-ministerial consolidation. But most importantly, the employees will get their financial rights and we will speed up the process. We talked about it yesterday.

Press
Sir, for the Asset Confiscation Bill, when will the presidential decree be issued?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
We continue to push for the Asset Forfeiture Bill to be completed as soon as possible. This law is very important.

I have also conveyed this to the House of Representatives (DPR) and to the related ministries to this to finish it soon. When it’s finished, I will issue the Decree as soon as possible. We’ve been pushing for it, it’s been a long time.

(EST/HD)