REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) economist Didin S. Damanhuri predicts that funds raised from the public housing savings program (Tapera) will reach Rp 70 trillion. He said the government needed to be careful in managing such a large fund and not using it for other allocations.

“If I calculate the revenue of Rp 70 trillion from approximately 38 million employees or private workers,” Didin said to Republika on Thursday (6/6/2024).

Didin revealed that he wanted the size of the housing savings fund if later it was actually realized. Because, the concept of Tapera's own program has so far received rejection from various parties because it is considered that it has the potential to be abused.

"This government is not clueless, but there is a purpose behind Tapera. This will be invested later I guess for IKN (Capital City Archipelago) yes, its purpose is within the framework of IKN," he said.

Furthermore, according to Didin, the program should be evaluated by the government. Because, there are many middle class people who will be burdened with Tapera dues.

"I think the company and the unions refused because BPJS already has a scheme for housing, if there is Tapera it will also be a double burden, pity the workers. Already as soon as the bottom 50 percent of the population, including workers, the purchasing power continues to decline, the prices of basic necessities soar uncontrollably, that's what I analyzed from BPS,” he explained

It is known that Indonesian President Joko Widodo pressed Government Regulation (PP) Number 21 of 2024 on Tapera Management on May 20, 2024. Under the legislation, the government requires a 3 percent per month pay cut for Tapera. For private employees there is a pay cut of 2.5 percent of earnings per month, while 0.5 percent of it is charged to the company. As for self-employed or freelance employees are charged the full 3 per cent.

The Tapera Management Agency (BP) said that Tapera's funds were looking forward to being allocated for investment. There are three allocators, namely a reserve fund placed in the form of deposits (3 percent-5 percent), a fertilization fund managed by a BP Tapera appointed investment manager (50 percent-54 percent), and a utilization fund dedicated to financing Tapera participants' housing through financial institutions (42 percent-47 percent).