JAKARTA. The Home Ministry is set to reduce building permit (IMB) fees by up to 95 percent through a ministerial regulation (Permen).

According to Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo, the regulation has been prepared and will soon be submitted to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to be authorized.

"Currently low- to middle-income residents are finding it hard to own a house. One of the reasons is the existing regulation that requires a dedicated fee for IMB. That is why I am preparing a Permen that will give 95 percent discounts for IMB," said Tjahjo on Thursday as quoted by Antara news agency.

He added that he believed the President would authorize the new regulation as a service for the people and to ease their troubles.

The ministry is also looking to shorten the licensing process for rusun (low-cost apartments).

"[We don't want] the developments of rusun to be delayed. Usually, although the budget and investors are available, the development is later delayed due to licensing," said Tjahjo.

"The licenses for power plant development, for example, could require up to one-and-a-half years excluding other issues such as land [purchases] and environment. It has to be shortened to create more effective [national] development," Tjahjo added. (kes)

Editor: Yudho Winarto