Jakarta, July 1 -- The Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Ministry has stressed that no land titles or certificates have been issued to foreign nationals, whether individuals or institutions, granting them ownership of Indonesian islands.

In response to the online listing of four islands in Riau Island's Anambas district -- Ritan, Tokongsendok, Nakok, and Mala -- for sale, Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Minister Nusron Wahid stressed that remote islands must not be sold to foreign entities.

Nor should any ownership certificate (SHM) or building permit use (SHGB) be granted for these islands, he added here on Tuesday.

"Anyone selling (islands) online must be questioned. Why? They don't own them, why are they selling (the islan...