BPN, Kemenag, and Kejati Kepri Chase Certification of 4,800 Wakaf Land and Houses of Worship

Head of the BPN Regional Office for the Riau Islands Province, Nurus Sholichin, photo with the Head of the Riau Islands High Prosecutor, J. Devy Sudarso, Head of the Regional Office of the Riau Islands Province Ministry of Religion, Dr. H. Zoztafia and District / City Officials. (Dok. BPN Kepri)

TANJUNG PINANG - Three institutions in the Riau Islands are moving quickly to secure wakaf land and houses of worship. The Riau Islands BPN Regional Office, the Riau Islands Ministry of Religion Regional Office, and the Riau Islands High Court signed a memorandum of understanding to accelerate certification and strengthen legal security, Thursday, April 2.

The agreement does not stop at the provincial level. At the same time, the land office, Ministry of Religion, and the regional/city attorney's office in all districts/cities in Kepri also signed a cooperation agreement.

The signing took place at the Sasana Baharuddin Lopa Hall, the Riau Islands Regional Attorney's Office. Present were the Head of the Riau Islands Regional Attorney's Office, J. Devy Sudarso, the Head of the Riau Islands BPN Regional Office, Nurus Sholichin, and the Head of the Riau Islands Regional Ministry of Religion, Dr. H. Zoztafia, along with the districts/cities both in person and online.

Head of the BPN Kepri Regional Office Nurus Sholichin revealed that based on BPS data, there were around 4,800 objects of houses of worship, cemeteries, and places of religious education in the province. Until 2025, only 2,230 fields or 46.45 percent have been certified. This means that there are still 53.55 percent that have not been completed.

"There are still 53.55 percent more that are joint homework. These three institutions are committed with a common spirit to complete the remaining target by the end of 2027, 100 percent complete," said Nurus.

He emphasized that the acceleration of certification was not only about administration, but also legal certainty. Therefore, legal assistance and consideration from the prosecutor's office are considered important so that every land process remains on the right track and does not cause disputes later.

According to Nurus, this cooperation is also needed to cut barriers in the field. Through closer coordination between BPN, the Ministry of Religion, and the prosecutor's office, it is hoped that legal and administrative issues can be handled faster, more accurately, and professionally.

The target is that all wakaf land and houses of worship in Riau Islands must have certificates by the end of 2027.