Jepara Regent denies rumors of Pulau Menjangan Kecil sale

Jepara Regent Witiarso Utomo has dismissed viral social media reports claiming that Pulau Menjangan Kecil in the Karimunjawa Islands is for sale. The rumors, which circulated on platforms like Instagram via accounts such as @TheFindLuxuryRealEstate and @jogjastudent, suggested the island was being offered for approximately USD 28 million (around Rp500 billion).

The social media posts claimed the island consisted of 17 land titles covering 49 hectares and featured strategic assets including white sand beaches, freshwater sources, and coral reef habitats. However, following an investigation by the Jepara Regency government, officials confirmed the information is a hoax.

Regent Witiarso stated that the Karimunjawa District Head has communicated with the actual landowners. The investigation revealed that the protected land area consists of 44.5 hectares held by 11 owners, none of whom expressed any intention to sell their property. The Regent characterized the posts as attempts to seek sensation through false information.