Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara- The Public Works and Public Housing Minister has launched the construction of 2,100 housing units for former East Timor fighters residing in Kupang District, East Nusa Tenggara Province.

“The government has started building thousands of houses for former East Timor (fighters) located in Fateleu, which was marked by a traditional ritual carried out last Saturday, January 14, 2023,” Head of Kupang District Korinus Masneno informed in Kupang on Monday.

The construction is being conducted by the ministry through the Nusa Tenggara II Housing Center.

The contract for the construction of the housing was inked some time ago by Housing for the East Nusa Tenggara province package II with PT Nindya Karya (Persero), and the project for the third batch of housing was launched by the East Nusa Tenggara Special Housing Unit and PT Adhi Karya (Persero) Tbk.

Masneno said that the traditional ritual, which was conducted in front of community leaders of Fatuleu and East Timor, marked the start of the construction of 2,100 housing units.

It symbolized the bond of love and brotherhood between the people of Fatuleu and the former East Timor people.

“If the brotherhood has been created through traditional rituals that begin with customary acceptance to slaughtering animals, whoever violates them is ready to bear the consequences themselves,” Masneno said.

The construction of the housing was the result of a request made by the general chair of the East Timor Fighters Communication Forum (KPTT), Eurico Gutteres, when he met President Joko Widodo, he added.

He said that of the total 52 thousand housing units approved by President Widodo for former East Timorese fighters in East Nusa Tenggara, 2,100 housing units were allocated for Kupang District.

“There are a lot of the houses being built, so it is expected that they will be able to meet the housing needs of former East Timorese fighters who are in Kupang District,” he added.

Source: Antara News