Jakarta (ANTARA) - Former Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN) Sofyan Djalil said he is thankful that Hadi Tjahjanto will be his successor following the latter's inauguration as minister on Jun 15.

"When I was summoned by President (Jokowi) and I asked him, (he said) that Hadi (Tjahjanto) will be my replacement. I promptly said 'Praise be to God, two thumbs up (for you), Sir,'" Djalil stated while recounting his last meeting with the president on Tuesday (Jun 14).

In his official statement received here on Thursday, Djalil expressed confidence that Tjahjanto was the right person to lead the ministry.

"Hadi is a good man, a true soldier that dedicates his life to the nation. God Willing, he will lead this ministry to be better," the former minister remarked.

He pointed out that agrarian reform is among the unfinished tasks that Tjahjanto must take on as the new minister.

"I admit that agrarian reform is a bit weak, but progress on the asset legalisation process is outstanding. Until today, Praise be to God, we have issued more than 80 million certificates," Djalil remarked.

Addressing land mafia issues is another major task that the new minister must oversee, he noted, adding that the ministry will be assisted by the police and the attorney general's office in eradicating the land mafia.

Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated minister, Tjahjanto, expressed gratitude for the work performed by Djalil and promised that he will continue the existing programmes.

"One of Sofyan Djalil's achievements pertains to land certificates. The president set his mark, and Djalil's performance has reached the president's target. Until now, more than 80 million certificates have been delivered (by the ministry)," Tjahjanto stated.

He also affirmed to continue the systematic and complete land registration programme until its completion by achieving the target of 126 million certificates.

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Tjahjanto urged ministry officials at all levels, from directorate generals to provincial offices, to optimise their performance in completing the ministry's programmes and addressing land issues.

"I believe that we can resolve our issues. Our special forces will be those on the site and National Land Agency's regional offices that must oversee all processes properly to assist director generals. We will do all of these tasks," he remarked.

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Translator: Aditya Eko SW, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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