Land rights issues hinder slum redevelopment in Probolinggo City
Probolinggo City, East Java — The Probolinggo City Government in East Java will coordinate with the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) to resolve land rights issues, which remain a significant obstacle to the redevelopment of slum areas.
Speaking in the city on Sunday, the Mayor of Probollantgo, Aminuddin, stated that these issues are particularly prevalent in the areas surrounding Kali Banger and Wiroborang. “The problem, specifically around Kali Banger and Wiroborang, is still constrained by land rights issues. Some areas are located within the river buffer zones. That remains the primary obstacle,” he said.
According to the Mayor, resolving land-related aspects is essential for the local government to proceed with optimal regional redevelopment. “Once these issues are resolved, we can continue the restructuring and address the problems associated with slum settlements,” he added.
To eradicate slums in Probolinggo City, several strategies are being implemented, including house renovation (bedah rumah) and area-wide redevelopment (bedah kawasan). Through government programmes, particularly via the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (PUPR), the administration is designing plans to rejuvenate and reconfigure these areas.
Based on local government data in the Probollinggo City 2025–2029 development planning document, the area of slum settlements in 2024 was recorded at 21.85 hectares, located in the Mangunharjo and Jati wards. This figure represents a significant decrease from 2020, when the area was recorded at 53.14 hectares.
Efforts to manage slum areas will also be strengthened through the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on Housing and Residential Areas, which has completed discussions by the Probollinggo City DPRD Special Committee and regional agencies. The results of these discussions were presented during a plenary session of the Probollinggo City DPRD on Saturday (26/9).
Six other draft regulations were also discussed, including the Draft Regional Regulation on the Reserve Fund for the Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Management of Regional Assets, Food Security, Specific Waste Management, Facilitation of the Prevention and Eradication of Narcotic Abuse and Illicit Trafficking (P4GN), and the Ease, Protection, and Empowerment of Cooperatives.
Aminuddin noted that the process for these seven draft regulations will continue to follow regulatory stages, including consultations with the East Java Provincial Government. “The implementation of these seven draft regulations will follow the applicable budgeting and regulatory stages. Therefore, the Probollinggo City Government is awaiting the consultation process with the Governor of East Java and the formation of implementing regulations,” he concluded.