Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The Indonesian government plans to build public housing to accommodate residents displaced by a massive fire in the densely populated neighborhood in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday, December 10.
Jakarta’s Regional Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) states that the devastating fire engulfed the residential area near H Jiung Market, in Kebon kosong street, Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, burning at least 200 homes and displaced 1.800 residents.
Deputy Minister of Housing and Residential Areas, Fahri Hamzah, said the affected area presents an opportunity for redevelopment into public housing in collaboration with multiple stakeholders.
“In the long term, we confirmed that the area spans approximately 30 hectares. This land could be developed for public housing, with a guarantee that those registered as previous residents will be prioritized for relocation,” Fahri stated at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (KemenkoPMK) office in Jakarta on Thursday, December 12, as reported by Tirto.id.
Fahri emphasized that the new public housing units would be exclusively for Kebon Kosong residents who lost their homes in the fire, discouraging outsiders from occupying the planned facilities.
“We will ensure that only those who previously lived there can stay. Outsiders who we cannot verify will not be allowed to move in. The long-term plan is to keep these residents housed in a vertical housing concept,” he explained.
Short-Term Plan: Temporary Housing for Evacuees
In the short term, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Pratikno, said the government is focused on relocating displaced residents to safer and more suitable temporary shelters. Currently, victims are staying in emergency tents set up across several locations, including SDN 09 Kebon Kosong school, Al-Ihsan Mosque, and Jusuf Hamka field.
Massive Fire in Jakarta’s Kemayoran Destroys 200 Homes, Displaces 1.800 Residents
According to CNN Indonesia, Minister Pratikno stated that the government is working to provide temporary shelters for those affected by the fire. “We are working to secure temporary housing options. Deputy Minister Fahri Hamzah has proposed the idea of transitional shelters to address immediate needs,” Pratikno said after a meeting at his office on Thursday, December 12.
Pratikno added that the government will evaluate several existing public housing units in Jakarta to serve as temporary shelters while ensuring necessary support is provided to evacuees.
“Residents will receive assistance while staying in temporary housing for the next few months. The Jakarta provincial government will oversee this support, and we will work on longer-term solutions to ensure the residents’ well-being,” he said.
The government hopes the relocation process will minimize risks and further challenges for displaced residents as they recover from the tragedy. While in the long term, the Ministry of Housing and Residential Areas aims to rebuild the area and develop public housing for displaced victims.
(Raidi/Agung)
