Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia During Inspection of Area Arrangement and Liveable Houses in Medan Belawan District, North Sumatra Province, July 7, 2022

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

This afternoon, I have witnessed that the improvement of Belawan Bahari village is already started with one, two, or three houses that have been improved in this Belawan Bahari village, Belawan district, Medan, North Sumatra. So, we want to carry out area and liveable houses arrangement, and it is already started by the City Government, and will be followed by the Central Government through Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing that will do the area arrangement. So, the provision of clean water, sanitation, roads, everything will be arranged to make [the settlement] healthier and better. We also hope that  this program can eradicate extreme poverty in the area. I think that is all.

Reporter

Tidal floods happen here frequently, so, what will the Government do to handle it?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

Soon, an embankment will be built. The project procurement has just been initiated. After it is done, then the project will be carried out because floods happen here for decades and unhandled. So, we start to handle it.

Reporter

Sir, what about stunting reduction?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)

In the last seven years, the stunting reduction rate has been decreasing from 37 percent to 24.4 percent. In 2024, our target is to reach 14 percent. That is the target. So, it is clear.

(AW/MMB)