VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo hopes that land certificates that have been owned by the community are not converted because they can often harm the community itself.

"Do not let this certificate, be sold for big interests " said the President when giving a speech at the ceremony. Maulana Yudha Tigaraksa Field, Tangerang Regency, on Monday, February 18, 2019.

Previously, Isra, a farmer from Tangerang Regency, one of the recipients of the certificate who had the opportunity to advance to the stage when asked by the President, expressed his hopes for other certificate recipients regarding the issue of land conversion, especially agriculture.

Isra, who received a certificate on land in the form of 565 square meters of rice fields, continued, in his area, there was a tendency for farmers to sell productive agricultural land to be converted and sold to developers. He mentioned that almost half of the land in his area had shifted from its original function.

The Head of State then expressed his gratitude for the report given by Isra. The President also reminded that our country and future generations really need the role of farmers as producers of food for the needs of the people of Indonesia.

"Be careful, especially what is called a rice field. Don't turn it into houses. We need to eat, we need food, in the future for our children and grandchildren," the President said in response.

To note, in the handover event, certificates were immediately handed over to 5,000 land in Tangerang Regency, Banten Province. The certificates cover a total land area of ​​2,649,359 square meters spread in Balaraja, Cisoka, Jayanti, Rajeg, Solear, Sukamulya and Tigaraksa Districts.

Also present on this event, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning / Head of the National Land Agency Sofyan Djalil,  Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Banten Governor Wahidin Halim, Banten Deputy Governor Andika Hazrumy, and Tangerang Regent Ahmed Zaki Iskandar.