Frustrated Meikarta Consumers Call for Refunds Amid Ongoing Uncertainty

April 24, 2025 | 10:38 am

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Housing and Settlement Areas (PKP) received complaints from 118 Meikarta consumers through the BENAR-PKP channel. Director General of Settlement Areas Fitrah Nur said that 118 complaints had been received since the channel was launched, namely on March 26, 2025, until Wednesday, April 23, 2025. "There are 88 consumers who requested a refund, four who chose a refund or unit handover," said Fitrah in a meeting forum between the Ministry of PKP with Lippo Group Boss James Riady and Meikarta consumers at the Ministry of PKP, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

In addition, according to Fitrah, there were two consumers who requested a unit handover, one consumer complained about the IPL, while 23 other consumers were still in the confirmation stage because they did not include their wishes in the complaint.

Of the 118 complaints received, Fitrah said that 102 consumers had completed the data. This means that there are still 16 consumers who have not completed it. Based on temporary data collected by the Ministry of PKP as the operator of the BENAR-PKP complaint service, it was recorded that funds worth Rp 26,855,558,439 had been paid by 102 consumers for the purchase of apartments.

The Meikarta Apartment development project in Cikarang, Bekasi, West Java is problematic because many consumers have not received certainty about the units being worked on by PT Mahkota Sentosa Utama (MSU)—a subsidiary of the Lippo Group. Even though consumers have paid off their payments since 2017.

One of the consumers who feels disadvantaged is Sugiyatno, a resident of East Jakarta. The 65-year-old man has paid off one apartment unit worth around Rp 325 million in 2017. Initially, he received information that the apartment unit would be handed over in September or November 2018. However, because he did not receive any certainty until almost 8 years later, he complained to the Ministry of PKP and demanded a refund. "It seems that my needs have changed again. So, I just asked for a refund," said Suyatno when met after a meeting at the Ministry of PKP.

Meanwhile, in yesterday's meeting forum, Minister of PKP Maruarar Sirait alias Ara asked Lippo to immediately return the funds. He gave a deadline of three months, namely a maximum of July 23, 2025. Along with this target, Ara plans to help using money from his personal pocket.

The plan is, Ara will use his salary while being an advisor at Siloam Hospitals, which reaches Rp100 million per month. "I used to be an advisor at Mr. James' company. It's called Siloam," said the Gerindra Party politician. "I want to hand over all the salary I have ever received from Siloam to solve the problem (Meikarta)."

James Riady ensured that the Meikarta problem would be resolved. In fact, he would try to make the consumer refunds realized faster than Minister Ara's target. "If possible, don't drag it out. The sooner, the better," said James.

According to James, the Meikarta developer has built 16,000 units and is ready to be handed over. He also ensured that Meikarta has good intentions. However, in recent years developers have faced a number of challenges in development.

James said building a new city is not easy. "There are 1,001 kinds of problems," he said. But regardless of the problems, he said, consumers who have placed their trust must be appreciated. "I believe, Meikarta should follow the direction of the Minister," he said.

Editor’s Choice: Lippo Cikarang Denies Meikarta Project is Stalled

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