Ministry of Agriculture Permit Delays Construction of Sekolah Rakyat in West Lombok

The construction of a permanent Sekolah Rakyat (SR) building in West Lombok has been delayed as the local government awaits a land-use permit from the Ministry of Agriculture. The 8.5-hectare site was previously designated as a Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (KP2B) area. West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini stated on Friday (12/6/2026) that under the latest regional spatial plan, the land is no longer classified as KP2B. However, he emphasised that any change in the function of agricultural land still requires ministerial approval, even if its protected status has been revoked. The process is underway, with Minister of Social Affairs Syaifullah Yusuf having sent a letter to Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman regarding the land allocation. The Regent said the local government is waiting for the official assignment letter before proceeding with the tender, expressing optimism that construction can begin in 2026. The delay has already impacted student admissions. Satria Irwandi, Head of Sekolah Rakyat Menengah Pertama 18 West Lombok, confirmed that the 2026 intake quota has been reduced to 60 students, down from 100 the previous year, with the same reduction applying to the primary school level. He noted that priority has been given to North Lombok, where a permanent SR building has already been completed. Despite the setback, Irwandi remains optimistic that quotas will increase once the West Lombok facility is built, citing a potential student pool of over 300 eligible children in the area.