Forest Area Control Task Force May Be Involved in Land Provision for Housing under the RUU PKP

The Minister of Housing and Settlement Areas, Maruarar Sirait, has opened the possibility of involving the Forest Area Control Task Force (“Satgas PKH”) in providing land for the implementation of public housing programs. According to Ara, the involvement of the task force will be regulated under the Draft Bill on Housing and Public Settlements (“RUU PKP”).

Ara stated that he has identified numerous state-owned lands that are being illegally controlled by third parties. Therefore, he intends for such land to be utilized for public housing through enforcement actions carried out by Satgas PKH. “I think if this can be implemented in the mining and palm oil sectors, why should it not also be possible in other sectors, such as housing?” he said.

Ara further stated that the proposed involvement of Satgas PKH in providing land for public housing has been communicated to the House of Representatives. He claimed that parliamentary leaders have responded positively to the proposal to include the role of Satgas PKH in the RUU PKP.

Ara emphasized that inter-institutional synergy, both at the central and regional levels, is essential to ensure land availability and support the success of the program. “Communication across all levels has been very good. Land must be controlled by the state in accordance with Article 33 of the Constitution for the benefit of the public. Why should this not also apply to public housing?” he stated.