Only 42% of Waqf Land Certified, Minister Nusron Reveals Obstacles on the Ground

Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (ATR) Nusron Wahid has revealed that only 42 per cent of waqf land has been certified against a national target of 900,000 parcels. He cited several obstacles in the certification process on the ground, ranging from a lack of awareness to the loss of waqf pledge deeds (AIW).

“Nationally, our waqf land certification stands at around 468,000 out of a total of roughly 900,000. So the target is 900,000 from the existing total. We are still at about 42 per cent. This includes both those already registered on the Waqf Information System (Siwak) and those not yet registered,” Nusron said in Serang, Banten, on Friday (20 February 2026).

Nusron stated that he would continue to address the waqf certification issue, particularly as the construction of places of worship in Indonesia is on the rise.

According to Nusron, low awareness is one of the main reasons behind the poor certification rate. In addition, there is the problem of lost waqf pledge deeds.

“On average, the issue is really awareness. Awareness. Secondly, many of the waqf donors have passed away and their pledge deeds have been lost. There is now a breakthrough through the Waqf Isbat Court, which did not previously exist,” he said.

In Serang, Nusron witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement on waqf land certification between the Banten Provincial Land Agency (BPN), the Banten Provincial Government, and Nahdlatul Ulama branch boards (PCNU) across Banten Province. The event was attended by Banten Governor Andra Soni.

The BPN also handed over 13 waqf certificates for use as prayer halls, mosques, and educational facilities.

According to Nusron, waqf land needs to be certified to prevent future conflicts. He noted that several waqf land disputes have already occurred.

“If certification and legal certainty are not resolved promptly, and land values continue to rise by the day, I fear this will lead to conflict — particularly from the families of those who originally donated the land,” he said.

Nusron acknowledged that he is giving serious attention to the waqf certification issue. He described waqf land conflicts as no ordinary matter requiring urgent resolution.

“Disputes over private land are commonplace. But when waqf land managed by the Muslim community and religious leaders becomes the subject of conflict, it is a slap in the face of the faithful. That is why we are giving this matter our most serious attention,” he said.