The long-awaited aspiration of residents of the New Kawasi Village Settlement to obtain legal certainty over land ownership was realized in mid-November 2025, following the issuance of five land certificates earlier in February. On that occasion, the Government of South Halmahera Regency handed over 23 land ownership certificates to residents. The certificates were officially presented by the Head of the Housing and Settlement Areas Agency (Perkim) of South Halmahera, Iqbal Hi Mustafa.
With the receipt of these land ownership certificates, residents of the New Kawasi Settlement expressed a greater sense of security, as they now possess clear legal certainty over the land they occupy.
Vera Baholo, one of the residents of Kawasi Village who has benefited from adequate facilities in the New Settlement.
One resident, Vera Baholo, conveyed her gratitude for the housing security they now enjoy. “Praise be to God, today we have received our land certificates. We are truly grateful to be able to live with such good facilities. I hope that residents who are still living in the old settlement will soon be able to move here as well, so they can enjoy the same rights,” she said.
A similar sentiment was shared by Heles, who described the certificate as a long-awaited legal foundation since first moving into the new settlement. She expressed hope that more residents would soon experience the same level of legal certainty.
Meanwhile, Saidi Jouronga also shared his happiness. “Alhamdulillah, this certificate is very meaningful. It provides clear legal certainty from the government, ensuring that our land rights are officially recognized and protected. I am truly delighted,” he remarked.
The Head of the South Halmahera Perkim Agency, Iqbal Hi Mustafa, emphasized that the asset legalization process for residents will continue to be accelerated. “Out of a total of 259 houses, 28 certificates have been completed. The remaining 231 certificates remain our priority. The government is making every effort to ensure that all Kawasi residents have housing that is not only adequate in terms of infrastructure, but also secure from a legal standpoint,” he stated during the certificate handover in November.
The New Kawasi Village Settlement program has demonstrably improved the quality of life for residents. They now benefit from significantly improved basic facilities, including 24-hour electricity and clean water, within an area developed by the Government of South Halmahera Regency with the support of Harita Nickel.
Harita Nickel supports the government’s efforts through cross-sector collaboration, ranging from the provision of infrastructure in the New Kawasi Village Settlement to process facilitation, ensuring that residents not only obtain decent housing but also legal certainty over their assets.