Winners of the Indonesia Property Awards stand strong against the COVID-19 pandemic

With all their efforts combined, the country can power through these unprecedented times

On Thursday (9 April), Achmad Yurianto, the spokesperson for the COVID-19 Task Force, reported that Indonesia has already exceeded the 3,000 mark, with 3,293 confirmed cases. In the last 24 hours, the nation recorded the highest number of deaths in a day, having lost 40 more lives, which brought the total death toll to 280. 

To contain the situation, the task force administered 16,500 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in the country to ensure they get more accurate results. They have also assigned 300 medical facilities, 35,000 doctors and 42,000 beds to exclusively treat COVID-19 patients. 

Moreover, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said that they will also release an IDR104.5 trillion relief package to reduce the economic impact of the crisis among low-income and poor families. The said amount will be used to provide basic goods and to help these households pay their utility bills.

“Our first priorities are providing staple foods to the most vulnerable and increasing the purchasing power of people from lower-income households,” explained the president. 

He said that around 4.2 million people in the Greater Jakarta area and nine million residents outside the COVID-19 red zone will be able to benefit from the government’s cash transfer and food aid programs. A portion of the budget allotted to the National Police will also be given as monthly allowances to the 197,000 taxi and bus drivers. 

“The pandemic has impacted a vast array of communities, including business people, civil servants, factory workers, taxi and bus drivers and more,” he added. 

In addition, Achmad revealed that the task force has also received IDR193 billion (USD12 million) worth of donations from both foreigners and locals. 

Among the local businesses who sent their donations were the winning developers at the Indonesia Property Awards who took Corporate Social Responsibility to heart, particularly during such trying times. 

Intiland Development, who received four awards at the 5th PropertyGuru Indonesia Property Awards 2019, including the highest recognition of the night as Best Developer, decided to create their own COVID-19 prevention task force to make sure that emergency protocols and preventive policies are implemented in all their projects.

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing said that they will release mortgage subsidies of about IDR1.5 trillion for 175,000 low-income families. They will also build homes for 88,000 poor families via the Housing Financing Liquidity Facility and for 67,000 families through their new savings-based monetary support. 

The Rumah Susun Masyarakat Berpenghasilan Rendah, Kabupaten Tulungagung, one of their public housing projects, was the first recipient of the Special Recognition for Public Housing award at the 2019 Indonesia Property Awards. 

More: Indonesian government releases home loan subsidies for low-income families 

Ciputra Group was among other corporations in the country who pledged their assistance to the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Through the cross-company donation titled Entrepreneurs Care for NKRI, they expect to raise a minimum of IDR500 billion worth of donations. 

The massive conglomerate won the Best Township Development title at the 5th PropertyGuru Indonesia Property Awards 2019. Budiarsa Saswinatra, the managing director of Ciputra Group and the president director of PT Ciputra Residence, also bagged the high-acclaimed Indonesia Real Estate Personality of the Year title at the ceremony. 

Sinar Mas Land, the Best Condo Development (Greater Indonesia) and the Best Condo Landscape Architectural Design (Greater Indonesia) winner at the 5th PropertyGuru Indonesia Property Awards 2019 and the Best Township Development winner at the 4th PropertyGuru Indonesia Property Awards 2018, also lent a hand to help the community amid the crisis by donating 100 personal protective equipment (PPEs) to the Tangerang Regent A Zaki Iskandar hospitals. 

Each PPE package comes with N95 masks, goggle masks, rubber gloves, boots and hazard clothes. They also contributed 750 PPEs to the Banten Provincial Government. The development firm, together with community members of the BSD City Smart House, provided disinfectant fluids, hand sanitisers and masks to schools also in the Banten area. 

As other businesses scramble to keep their finances in order, these Indonesia Property Award-winning developers prove that their nation can depend on them in times of need.