TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Public Policy expert Trubus Rahadiansyah reasons that the housing program launched by former Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) is better than the zero down payment housing program by Anies Baswedan – Sandiaga Uno.

According to Trubus, Ahok’s program was able to reach the lower income residents of Jakarta while the zero down payment (DP Rp0) program could only be accessed by Jakarta’s middle class. “People with an income under Rp3 million can rent a space at the rusunawa (low-cost flats) Ahok introduced,” said Trubus.

Based on that reason, Trubus suggested that the current Jakarta Governor should continue the program already run by the previous governor. “The policy should be continued, don’t innovate if it’s not backed by a well-thought plan,” he added.

The Head of Trisakti University public policy review center reasons that the policies Governor Anies Baswedan issued since he took office one hundred days ago have yet to solve public issues. “Most of them are for the sake of public imaging (Pencitraan), I have yet to see any concrete policies,” said Trubus on Tuesday, January 23.

He argues that the housing program promised by Anies Baswedan during his campaign was to provide independent housings, not flats. The governor’s promise was difficult to be realized considering the limited space that is available in Jakarta.

“After having difficulties building a rusunami (apartments sold for personal ownership) now they are changing it to a rusunawa (leased apartments). It’s simply being indecisive. Their policies keep on changing,” said Trubus.

Anies Baswedan placed officially commenced the construction of zero down payment housing flat at Klapa Village, in East Jakarta on January 18. He claims that it fulfills his campaign promise of providing homes for Jakarta residents.

Muhammad Hendartyo