Tapera Is Public Housing Savings Program, Says Minister Basuki
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28 May 2024 16:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Public Works and Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono responded to the recent polemic over the government's policy of requiring private employees’ salaries to make monthly salary deductions for the Public Housing Savings or Tapera program. He stressed that the wage deduction is savings that can be used later.
“Tapera is savings. [Employees’] salaries don't just get cut and disappear,” Basuki said at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) Senayan on Tuesday, May 28. “The benefit is that people can get a house.”
However, he stopped short of explaining whether it would be mandatory for all workers and whether there would be a scheme for workers who already own a house or have participated in the public housing loan (KPR). “I’ll ask BP Tapera first,” he added, referring to the program's fund management agency.
The policy requiring private employees to pay a monthly fee of 3 percent of their salary for Tapera is regulated by Government Regulation (PP) No. 21 of 2024, which President Joko Jokowi Widodo signed on May 20. This regulation is the amendment of PP No. 25 of 2020.
Jokowi argued that the public would definitely adapt to the new policy once the regulation is enforced. He cited the example of the national health insurance, BPJS Kesehatan, which was previously under public scrutiny, except for its free system.
“After it was enforced, I think people can feel the benefits of the free hospital, things like that will be felt after its implementation. Pros and cons are usual when it hasn't been implemented yet,” he said on Monday, May 27.
Suryadi Jaya Purnama, a member of Commission V of the House of Representatives (DPR), reminded the government that the salary cut in the Tapera program should not burden the people, particularly middle-class private workers.
RIRI RAHAYU | DANIEL A. FAJRI
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