Dialogue of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Distribution of Land Certificates to the People, Tarakan, North Kalimantan Province, 21 December 2021
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Good morning,
May peace be upon us all,
Distinguished Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/ Head of the National Land Agency (BPN), Ministers in attendance. Today, we have Cabinet Secretary, Minister of Industry, Minister of Investment in attendance;
Distinguished Governor of North Kalimantan, Regional Leaders’ Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) Ranks;
Distinguished Mayor of Tarakan city;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, the certificate holders.
I am glad that today you have received the certificates. Certificates are proof of legal certainty over the ownership of your land. You owned a land and have been utilized it as fishpond for a decade, 15 years, yet you have not possessed a certificate. Other people may claim for your land and you can do nothing. However, since you have received the certificates, it ensures legal certainty.
Everyone please show me if you all have received the certificates? Alright, everyone has it.
We expect the certificates to prevent land disputes. Years ago, in 2014, when I visited villages/hamlets, I used to hear complaints about land disputes, land certificates, be it that between neighbors, between the people and the Government, between the people and the State-owned Enterprises, the people and private companies because they don’t have the certificates. Although you have managed your land for 20, 30 years, you still don’t have certificates.
Therefore, three years ago in a helicopter ride, I saw many fishponds here. I asked for the information of the owner. ‘Some owned by local people, but many owned by other party’. Then, I instructed the Minister; ‘Those belong to the people must be certified immediately. Distribute the certificates to them’.
If someone coming from other regions, for example Jakarta or other cities, and they have certificates of your land, we can prevent it. What would you do if that really happens? You can do nothing. Therefore, certificate is crucial.
To date, we need to issue 126 million certificates throughout the country, and they must be distributed to the right owners. Around 80 million certificates have yet to be issued. Why there are a lot of land disputes? Because of it.
In the past five years, we have distributed 25 million land certificates to the people. In addition, 41 million other certificates have been issued and will be distributed to the owners soon. Meanwhile, 25 million have been distributed. Allow me to extend my gratitude to the local offices of the National Land Agency (BPN) at regencies/municipalities for their hard work at speeding up the issuance of land certificates. No one should wait for years to get the certificate. We don’t do that anymore. Distribute certificates, fast.
Second, I ordered the Minister to increase the target for North Kalimantan province for 2022, how many are they? Increase it by 50 percent. How many certificates have been distributed this year? How many certificates distributed in a year?
Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/ Head of the National Land Agency (Sofyan Djalil)
This year, 13,455 (certificates) in North Kalimantan, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Thirteen thousand?
Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/ Head of the National Land Agency (Sofyan Djalil)
(As many as) 13,455.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
(As many as) 13,455. Therefore, for next year, the figure must be increased. That means 13 thousand plus around seven thousand. Around 20 thousand must be issued.
Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/ Head of the National Land Agency (Sofyan Djalil)
Yes, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Deal?
Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/ Head of the National Land Agency (Sofyan Djalil)
Deal.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Should the number be decreased? We should add it. Alright.
We have agreed on the issue of certificate. It’s done.
Now, raise your finger. Those who can recite Pancasila (state ideology) raise your fingers. Ladies first. Lady in yellow, you seem to be the first one who raise finger.
How many square meters is your land? How many square meters is it as stated in your certificate?
Certificate Holder 1
One thousand three hundred and four (square meters), Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Wow, you have large plot of land, 1,300, right? It’s really large. My house is only 600 (square meters).
Now, recite Pancasila.
Certificate Holder 1
Pancasila. One, belief in the Almighty God. Two, just and civilized humanity. Three, the unity of Indonesia. Four, Democracy guided by the inner wisdom in the unanimity arising out of deliberations among representatives. Five, social justice for all Indonesians.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Alright, you may now return to your seat.
Can anyone mention, not Pancasila, mention five…? There are 17,000 islands in Indonesia; you only need to mention five islands. Mention five islands in Indonesia. The one sits in the back, please.
Certificate Holder 2
Assalamu’alaikum waramatullahi wabarakatuh.
I appreciate it, Mr. President. First, Sebatik island. Second, Tarakan island.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You can also mention the major islands.
Certificate Holder 2
Third, Java island. Fourth, Sumatra island. The last one is Sadau island. I thank you.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
I don’t know where Sadau island lies. Nevertheless, I’ve heard about it.
Certificate Holder 2
Thank you, Sir.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
As for the third question, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus pandemic, we must to follow the 3M measure (health protocols). It’s about the 3M.
The lady who raised her hand really quick, can you tell me what is 3M?
Certificate Holder 2
Wearing face mask, maintaining safe distance, and avoiding crowd, Sir. Washing hands and avoiding crowd.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
You are correct. Please return to your seat.
What? What are you waiting for? For bicycles? Okay, those who gave right answers to my questions will receive bicycles.
That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(RAS/LW)