Wayoli Kanaan Association seeks land certificate certainty

The Wayoli Kanaan Association is seeking legal certainty regarding the issuance of land certificates for former Wayoli refugees residing in Kanaan, Minahasa, North Sulawesi. Association chairperson Hesty Tuepo stated that the group is a legally recognized organization under a 2014 Ministry of Law and Human Rights decree.

The land acquisition process began in 2001 through humanitarian initiatives and was later facilitated by the Yayasan Berkati Indonesia (YBI) starting in 2005, followed by the Yayasan Pelayanan Kasih Bapa (YPKB). These efforts provided housing, agricultural land, infrastructure, and economic empowerment programs for the community.

According to the association, documents from 2013 and 2024 indicate that 90% of the total land area—stretching from Kanaan Beach to plantations in Kolongan and Rerer villages—was donated and transferred by YBI to be registered under the Wayoli Kanaan Association. The association emphasizes that completing the certification process is essential to ensure legal security and economic welfare for the residents.