Jakarta, IO – Defense Minister and President-elect Prabowo Subianto visited the stilt houses built on his instruction in Muara Angke fishing village, North Jakarta, on Wednesday (14/8). The houses, constructed by the Indonesian Defense University (Unhan), are equipped with facilities such as beds, cupboards, plumbing, water tanks, futsal field and playground.
They are designed to be sturdy and liveable, as well as environmentally friendly by making use of discarded items as building materials, such as repurposing green mussel shell as paving blocks.
There are also rainwater and domestic household waste processing installation, seawater desalination system to supply clean air, and the use of solar panels for alternative energy supply.
During his visit, Prabowo also ordered the mounting marine debris along the Muara Angke mangrove forest to be cleaned.
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“We will carry out a cleaning operation in this area. Unhan student-cadets in collaboration with the Navy’s Frogmen commandos, totalling about 500-600 joint personnel,” said Prabowo aboard a motorboat.
Before the houses were built, residents of the coastal settlement faced uninhabitable living conditions, affected by tidal floods and poor sanitation. The tidal flood often caused chest-high flood, leading to disruptions in the residents’ everyday life, especially during the rainy season.