Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Working Visit to Reconstruction Project of Earthquake-Proof Houses, Cianjur Regency, West Java Province, December 5, 2022

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
This is the first zone for relocation. Approximately 200 houses will be built here immediately, all of which will be earthquake-proof houses. In another location, we will build 1.600 houses immediately. [Houses] located at the epicenter of the earthquake, especially in Cugenang, will be moved here and to the second location. Other houses will be built in the same location, with the assistance of Rp 50 million, Rp 25 million, and Rp 10 million.

Journalist
Is there any priority for the beneficiaries of the first batch assistance to build houses?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Residents who live in the epicenter of the earthquake in Cugenang will be the priority. The place is not liveable. It is very dangerous area.

Journalist
The target is to build 2.000 houses?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Yes. It will be completed in several days. The houses are knock down houses.

Journalist

The latest data shows that there are 8.000 houses with heavy damages, how does the Government handle that?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Some of the heavily damaged houses were relocated and some were not. If the area is dangerous, located in in the earthquake fault, the residents will be relocated. If not, the houses will be built in the same location.

Journalist

What about access to water and access to jobs for the relocation?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

For the relocation, we have prepared….

Journalist

What about other social facilities, let’s say, school?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

We have started the reconstruction. Today I visited a school. The reconstruction project has started at Junior High School 1 in Warungkondang. We will also start other projects, not just one or two projects. We will start [the reconstruction project] immediately. The reconstruction of mosques, like the one in Warungkondang, has also started. The land has been cleared, so we can start the project.

Journalist

How about the renovated houses, sir?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

On Thursday we will hand over the assistance, so that the reconstruction will begin immediately. We hope that all community activities and economic activities can be restored.

Journalist

Are there any problems, sir? Is it possible that the new houses will be handed over this December?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

For the 200 (houses) yes. The 2.000 (houses) will be completed before Eid al-Fitr, God willing. (RI/LW)