TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: Pangihutan Marpaung, Formal housing deputy at the Ministry of Public Housing, says the government is planning to build 900 houses in several areas in Papua this year. According to him, the houses will be given to Papuans for free. "The houses would be located in several areas starting from Jayawijaya and Asmat," Marpaung said on Tuesday, March 5. Construction will begin this year. Each house is estimated to cost between Rp 100 million and Rp 120 million per unit. "Land acquisition will be carried by the government of Papua. We are in charge with construction," he said. Marpaung said that the Ministry of Public Housing is conducting an inventory of the location and the land's legal paperwork. He hopes the land acquisition process will run smoothly. "When all is ready, by next month we might be able to hold the auction and prepare the design. The land is a customary land. That’s why we ask the Papua local government to handle the acquisition as it could be quite tricky," he said. ANGGA SUKMA WIJAYA