MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has expressed his willingness to serve as a patron for waqf managers (Nazir) across North Sumatra. The initiative is part of the provincial government's efforts to accelerate the registration of waqf land while ensuring that all assets donated by the public as waqf receive legal certainty and full legal protection.
Bobby Nasution made the commitment during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a cooperation agreement aimed at accelerating the registration of waqf land. The signing ceremony was held on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at the Raja Inal Siregar Hall at the North Sumatra Governor's Office.
The event was attended by, among others, North Sumatra Chief Prosecutor Muhibuddin, chairman of the North Sumatra representative office of the Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI) Solehuddin, head of the North Sumatra Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Ahmad Qosbi, head of the North Sumatra Land Affairs Office (BPN) Nugraha, as well as several mayors and regents from across North Sumatra.
Bobby emphasized that accelerating the certification of waqf land is crucial to protecting assets donated by the public. In his view, land without clear legal protection could create problems in the future, particularly after the donor has passed away and a generational transition takes place.
Preventing Waqf Land Disputes
Bobby explained that not every donor has the opportunity to explain the intention and purpose of a waqf donation to subsequent generations. Such circumstances can lead to differing interpretations and eventually trigger legal problems or disputes.
"It is quite possible that not everyone who donated their assets had the opportunity to explain these matters, or that their descendants do not share the same understanding. This could lead to problems or disputes later when the donor is no longer around. That is why we are here today as government institutions, to ensure that all waqf land has legal protection," Bobby said.
According to North Sumatra Chief Prosecutor Muhibuddin, residents in North Sumatra have donated around 14,683 plots of land as waqf. However, only 6,030 plots have so far been certified.
The figures show that thousands of waqf land parcels still need to be registered and certified. The government and relevant institutions are therefore working to accelerate the process so that waqf assets can receive legal protection and be managed optimally.
Bobby also highlighted the important role of Nazir in managing waqf land. According to him, each waqf land parcel requires at least three Nazir who are responsible for safeguarding the asset and ensuring that it continues to benefit the community.
"If we, as government institutions, fail to carry out this responsibility, there is a risk that the donor's intention to use their assets as an ongoing charitable endowment will not be fulfilled. The consequences could affect us both in this world and as a sin for which we will be held accountable in the hereafter. Therefore, I am willing to serve as a patron for the waqf Nazir in North Sumatra. I also hope that the mayors, regents and their deputies across North Sumatra will be willing to take on a similar role," he said.
The statement underscores Bobby's commitment to strengthening the involvement of regional governments in improving waqf management. He hopes that mayors, regents and their deputies across North Sumatra will assume similar roles as patrons for waqf Nazir.
CASH WAQF MOVEMENT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS: North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution calls on civil servants within the North Sumatra provincial government to participate in the waqf movement through monthly cash waqf contributions of Rp10,000 to Rp20,000. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
Call for Cash Waqf Among Civil Servants
In addition to accelerating the certification of waqf land, Bobby also called on civil servants within the North Sumatra provincial government to participate in the cash waqf movement.
Bobby proposed that civil servants contribute between Rp10,000 and Rp20,000 per month as cash waqf. The funds could subsequently be handed over to the
Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI) and managed in accordance with applicable regulations so that they can benefit the community.
According to Bobby, civil servants' participation in cash waqf could provide concrete support for strengthening the waqf movement in North Sumatra. In addition to encouraging broader public participation, the initiative could also contribute to the sustainable management of waqf assets.
Meanwhile, North Sumatra Chief Prosecutor Muhibuddin welcomed the signing of the MoU. He described the cross-institutional cooperation as an important moment for strengthening coordination in accelerating the registration of waqf land.
Muhibuddin said the MoU provides a foundation for the participating institutions to work together toward completing the certification of waqf land across all regions of North Sumatra.
"There are around 14,683 plots of land that have already been donated as waqf. However, as of today, only 6,030 have been certified. This means that fewer than half of the total number have certificates. Through this agreement, we hope to certify at least another 6,000 plots this year, bringing the total to 12,000. God willing, we can achieve this through joint efforts," Muhibuddin said.
COMMITMENT TO ACCELERATING WAQF CERTIFICATION: North Sumatra Chief Prosecutor Muhibuddin reaffirms the prosecution service's commitment to accelerating the certification of waqf land through cooperation with BPN, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and BWI. (PHOTO: Imam Syahputra)
Prosecutors to Accelerate Waqf Certification
Muhibuddin reaffirmed that the North Sumatra Prosecutor's Office would provide maximum support for the registration and certification of waqf land. The prosecution service will work with the Land Affairs Office (BPN), the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Indonesian Waqf Board (BWI) to accelerate the process.
In Muhibuddin's view, accelerating certification is not only intended to provide clear legal status for waqf assets. It can also minimize the risk of land disputes while creating opportunities to make better use of waqf assets to improve the welfare of the community.
He also praised the attention and commitment shown by the North Sumatra governor toward waqf management. The regional government's support, he said, would strengthen cooperation among institutions and help ensure that waqf assets remain protected and continue to benefit the public.
Once certification has been completed, the government and relevant institutions must also ensure that waqf assets are managed productively. Land donated by the public should not be left idle or instead become a burden for the Nazir.
Therefore, making optimal use of waqf land is an important part of the overall effort. With proper management, waqf assets can provide lasting social and economic benefits for the public and contribute to the welfare of the Muslim community.
The MoU was signed by the North Sumatra governor, the North Sumatra chief prosecutor, the head of the North Sumatra Land Affairs Office, the head of the North Sumatra Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the chairman of the North Sumatra representative office of the
Indonesian Waqf Board.
At the regional level, regents and mayors or their deputies also signed corresponding cooperation agreements together with the relevant institutions. The regions participating in the signing included the cities of Medan, Binjai, Pematangsiantar and Tebingtinggi, as well as the regencies of Langkat, Deli Serdang, Serdang Bedagai, Karo and Simalungun.
Meanwhile, other regional governments participated in the event virtually. The cross-agency and cross-regional cooperation is expected to help accelerate the certification of thousands of waqf land parcels that still lack clear legal protection.
The efforts also represent a step toward maintaining the trust of people who have donated their assets as waqf. The North Sumatra provincial government, together with the prosecution service, BPN, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, BWI, and city and regency governments, is working to ensure that waqf assets have a clear legal foundation and continue to benefit the public over the long term. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala