Under Scrutiny, UIN Mataram Confirms Campus 3 Construction on Regency Land Grant

The State Islamic University (UIN) Mataram has confirmed it will soon utilise a land grant from the West Lombok Regency Government. The 3-hectare plot, which recently drew scrutiny from West Lombok DPRD members, will be used for the construction of Campus 3. UIN Mataram Rector, Professor Masnun Tahir, stated that the construction proposal had been submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs since 2024 and was originally scheduled to commence in early 2025. However, the project was delayed due to the central government’s budget efficiency policy. “We all know that 2025 was the start of the efficiency drive,” Masnun said on Friday (26/6/2026). According to Masnun, the government relaxed the budget at the end of 2025, but UIN Mataram opted not to execute the construction because the implementation timeframe was too tight. “It was impossible for us to execute it at the end of the year. This year, we have budgeted for the planning of wall construction and land hardening or backfilling,” Masnun added. UIN Mataram is currently preparing tender documents for the construction of a perimeter fence and land backfilling at the site. The documents will subsequently be submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Procurement Unit (UKPBJ). Masnun is targeting the administrative process to be completed by the end of June, with the tender to follow in July 2026. Physical works on the project are scheduled to begin in August 2026. According to Masnun, UIN Mataram’s Campus 3 will house the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Health Sciences, Science, and Technology. Meanwhile, West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini stated he would give UIN Mataram the opportunity to prove its commitment to starting construction this year. Nevertheless, he stressed that the regional government would still evaluate the land grant utilisation plan. “I have also said that if it is not used, I will take it back,” LAZ stated. Previously, the West Lombok Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) had highlighted the 3-hectare land grant from the West Lombok Regency Government to UIN Mataram. The concern arose because the land, granted in 2024, has yet to be developed. DPRD member Ali Hidayat noted that the land grant was handed over during the tenure of Regent Fauzan Khalid, approximately two years ago, with promises of immediate construction. “Until today, there is no sign of life on the land we gave. It is now entering the third year since the grant was provided,” he said.