Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia During the Handover of Land Certificates for the People, at Wonosobo Square, Wonosobo Regency Central Java Province, January 22, 2024
Assalamuálaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Good afternoon,
May peace be upon us all.
Distinguished Ministers in attendance, among others Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency, Minister of Public Works, Minister of Health, Governor of Central Java, Regent of Wonosobo, Recipients of land certificates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the dawn at 4.30, 4.45 a.m., I travelled to Halim Airport. I arrived in Solo at 7 a.m.. Then, I went to Salatiga to attend two or three events. From Salatiga, I headed to Magelang, not Wonosobo. Just wait. From Salatiga, I headed to Magelang.
There were two events in Magelang, before I headed to Muntilan which is near Jogja. Then, I went to Temanggung to attend several events before heading here. That’s why I am late because many people flocked to the street.
It was hard to get to the city in Wonosobo because cars were stuck at traffic. There were a lot of people in the street, so I was 15 minutes late. Cars that normally can go in and out are stuck so they must be escorted by the Paspampres [Presidential Security Detail].
With slow speed, I just arrived in Wonosobo at 17.15 though I departed from the Palace at 04.30. That’s my daily task because Indonesia is a big country. Don’t ever think Indonesia is small. It’s big. It has the fourth largest population and 16th largest economy in the world.
Imagine that when a state usually consists of one land, we have 17,000 islands. Each island must be equipped with seaports, electricity, schools, community health centers (Puskesmas), hospitals, and airports for larger islands.
You can imagine how hard it is to manage a country. There are diverse ethnic groups, 714 ethnic groups with different local languages. There are around 1,300 local languages. No countries have this kind of diversity. One land only needs four airports. If larger islands in Indonesia do not have airports and only rely on seaports, logistics such as rice and other commodities cannot be transported to the island during high waves. What will happen? People will starve. Therefore, you can only imagine this since there are no high waves in Wonosobo. There is no wave, correct. That is Indonesia.
I have flown from Banda Aceh, Aceh to Wamena, Papua and it took 9 hours 15 minutes. Can you imagine if I went there by boat? It may take weeks. If I fly from London, I could pass seven countries. This country is very large. It’s not easy to manage a country; I lose my weight because of it.
Regarding certificates, did you receive it? Put it in the air, I would like to see it. I want to ensure that the National Land Agency at Wonosobo regency and regional office of Central Java province have handed you the certificates. I will count it quickly, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,…5,000. Alright, it means you all have received it today.
You can image that we must distribute 126 millions of land certificates in 2015 to the people because there are 126 million plots of land in this republic. Out of 126 million, only 46 million certificated issued to the people; meaning that 80 million people who own land do not have certificates.
What happened? There are a lot of disputes everywhere, land disputes among neighbors, relatives, between the people and the Government, or between the people and companies.
When I visited a village or region back in 2015, I often received complaints about land issues. I checked the National Land Agency and asked how many certificates can be issued in a year because we need 80 million more? Apparently, only 500,000 certificates can be issued per year. It means you have to wait 160 years. Do you want to wait? 80 million is left but we can only issue 500,000 per year. You can receive your certificates in 160 years. Do you want it? If you want it raise your hand. I will give you a bicycle. If you want to wait 160 years to get a certificate, raise your hand and I will give you a bicycle in return.
That is why I ordered Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning to issue 5 million [certificates] at first, and it increased to 7 million and 10 million [certificates]. By the end of 2023, how many certificates issued, Pak Hadi?
110 million certificates have been issued. This is what a “work” is. I check it every week, month, how many certificates have been issued. Can you wait 160 years? Now that everyone has their own certificates, please check the name on it because a certificate is a legal proof of land rights that you own. The measurement is also stated on it. Don’t get the name wrong; don’t get the size wrong.
Second, those who already received certificates often used it as collateral for bank loan. I know that, maybe not all the people. Be careful if you take loan by using certificates as bank loan. Please calculate it carefully, thoroughly. Don’t only think the money you will receive but also think how to repay it every month, understand. If your land is large, you can get a loan of Rp500 million. The bank will approve it since they will receive interest from your loan. It feels great to receive Rp500 million, I feel you. However, you must think on how to use Rp500 million that you’ve received, for instance to add business capital, working capital; it must be calculated. Is it possible to use it for a business? If your revenue is Rp10 million but your installment per month is Rp20 million, it will be impossible to repay. But, if the situation is the other way around, you can repay it.
After receiving the Rp500 million, you must not spend it to buy a car at a mall the day after. Firstly, you think that the car is pretty, then you ask the salesperson about the price. “Rp210 million”. You think there are still much left from Rp500 million. That’s where it gone wrong. You bought the car, pay the installment for a couple of months but in the sixth month you’ll face difficulties. If you use the money for business, when you earn profit, you can use the profit to buy a car. But not use the loan to buy a car. If you cannot pay the installment, your car must be returned, you will also lose your certificate. Understand? Thus, I will remind you to be careful if you want to use it for a loan. It will be hard if you don’t have the capability to return the money no matter how much loan you take.
That concludes my remarks in this auspicious occasion.
I still have to attend one more event in Wonosobo. After the event, I will spend a night in Salatiga before continuing the visit to Sragen, Purwodadi, Blora, and Semarang tomorrow. Afterwards, I will return to Jakarta. That’s all.
I will ask one participant. Who can recite Pancasila? You must have practiced it at home. That’s okay, please raise your hands then I will ask you to come to the stage. Wait a second, you who wear black and sit at the back. Yeah you, Sir. How about the ladies, can you recite Pancasila? Yes, a lady that wears pink clothes.
Introduce yourself.
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Edi Samidin)
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh.
My name is Edi Samidin from Kerasak Village.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Pak Edi from Krasak
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Edi Samidin)
Yes, correct, Edi from Krasak, Kalibening Krasak Mojotengah, Wonosobo.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Recite Pancasila, one…
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Edi Samidin)
The God.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Wait, recite it from the start. Pancasila, one…
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Edi Samidin)
Pancasila.
One, belief in the One and Only God. Two, just and civilized humanity. Three, the unity of Indonesia. Four, democratic life led by wisdom of thoughts in deliberation amongst representatives of the people. Five, social justice for all the people of Indonesia. Thank you. I am nervous, Pak, sorry.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Ladies, you may think it’s easy from your seat but when you come to this stage and stand beside me, your mind goes blank. It happens a lot. Thank you.
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Edi Samidin)
Where is the bicycle?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Here it is.
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Edi Samidin)
Thank you, may you always be in good health, blessed. Amen. Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Please introduce yourself.
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Dewi Purwanti)
My name is Dewi Purwanti from Sendangsari, Purwodadi district, Purworejo regency.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Please wait, Mas Edi is delighted. Mas Edi, don’t exchange the bike to a car. This bike is expensive, not because of the material but the inscription “A present from President Joko Widodo”.
Please continue, Bu.
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Dewi Purwanti)
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. My name is Dewi Purwanti from Sendangsari village, Purwodadi district, Purworejo regency.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Dewi, from?
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Dewi Purwanti)
Sendangsari, Purwodadi district, Purworejo regency.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
From Purworejo?
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Dewi Purwanti)
Yes, from Purworejo.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Okay. Recite Pancasila please.
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Dewi Purwanti)
One, belief in the One and Only God. Two, just and civilized humanity. Three, the unity of Indonesia. Four, democratic life led by wisdom of thoughts in deliberation amongst representatives of the people. Five, social justice for all the people of Indonesia.
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Alright.
Representative of Certificate Recipients (Dewi Purwanti)
Will I get the bike, Sir?
President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Yes, if Mas Edi gets it, then you will get it. Are you happy? Wait, is that where you sit earlier? I think it is over there. Maybe you made a wrong turn because you’re very happy.
That concludes my remarks on this auspicious occasion. Thank you.
Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
(RAS/EP)