KABANJAHE, BUNDARAN METRO – The Karo Regency Government has reaffirmed its full commitment to handing over the buildings and structures at the Karo Regional General Hospital (RSUD) site on Jalan Selamat Ketaren, Kabanjahe, to the Moderamen of the Karo Batak Protestant Church (GBKP) as the rightful land owner under Right to Build Certificate (HGB) No. 316.
This concrete commitment was formalized during an official working visit by the Regent of Karo, Brig. Gen. Pol. (Ret.) Dr. dr. Antonius Ginting, Sp.OG, M.Kes, to the GBKP Moderamen Headquarters to directly deliver Karo Regent Statement Letter No. 900/2368/BKAD/2026 on Thursday (August 6, 2026).
Accompanying the Regent during the visit were Speaker of the Karo Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Iriani Tarigan, Deputy Speaker Imanuel Sembiring, ST, and Karo Regional Secretary Gelora Kurnia Putra Ginting, S.STP, M.M. The regional delegation was warmly received by GBKP Moderamen Chairperson Rev. Krismas Imanta Barus, M.Th, L.M, General Secretary Rev. Yunus Bangun, M.Th, along with core executive members of the GBKP Moderamen.
In the official statement signed directly before the GBKP leadership, the Karo Regency Government outlined strategic steps and a definitive timeline for relocating hospital operations to new facilities, including:
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Physical construction and final finishing of the new RSUD—located across Rumah Kabanjahe Village (Kabanjahe District) and Lingga Village (Simpang Empat District)—will be fully completed by August 2027, funded via the State Budget (APBN), Regional Budget (APBD), and other legitimate sources.
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The relocation of medical equipment, supporting infrastructure, and operational licensing for the new hospital will begin in August 2027, targeting completion by the third week of December 2027.
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By the third week of December 2027 at the latest, the Karo Regency Government will completely vacate the RSUD complex on Jalan Selamat Ketaren, Kabanjahe.
Following these timeline commitments, the Zending buildings and assets will be handed over to GBKP for complete ownership and management. Meanwhile, buildings constructed by the Karo Regency Government at the Jalan Selamat Ketaren location will be formally transferred to the GBKP Moderamen under applicable statutory regulations on December 31, 2027.
Karo Regent Brig. Gen. Pol. (Ret.) Dr. dr. Antonius Ginting stated that this asset transfer honors decisions made by previous regional leaders while ensuring full alignment with existing legal frameworks.
“We fully agree to hand over the hospital to the GBKP Moderamen. Previous regional leaders had already made decisions regarding this matter. At present, we simply need to process it in strict accordance with the law. As a proud member of GBKP who loves this institution, I want to ensure there are no legal or regulatory complications moving forward,” the Regent emphasized.
Furthermore, Regent Antonius stressed the importance of elevating collaboration between local government and religious institutions to a higher operational level.
“We need real collaboration and synchronization, not just communication and coordination. Moving forward, we must push beyond mere coordination into active synchronization so that the goals of the GBKP Moderamen can be jointly implemented with the Karo Regency Government. That is the purpose of our visit today, and we hope this becomes a blessing for all,” he added.
Responding to the official statement, GBKP Moderamen Chairperson Rev. Krismas Imanta Barus welcomed the Karo Government’s strategic plan and stated that GBKP will bring these points to the upcoming Synod Workers’ Meeting (SKMS) as part of their annual service evaluation.
Echoing positive sentiment, Karo DPRD Speaker Iriani Tarigan expressed delight over the harmonious resolution, hoping this milestone will solidify government-church synergies for the greater benefit of the Karo community.
The ownership status of the land on Jalan Selamat Ketaren has been a long-discussed issue in Karo Regency. Historically, the land was associated with Christian mission activities (Zending) established in the early 20th century, which later passed to the Karo Batak Protestant Church (GBKP). Over the decades, the Karo Regency Government operated the public hospital on the site under contractual land-use arrangements (HGB No. 316). The signed agreement provides clarity and legal certainty after years of administrative alignment between church authorities and the local administration.
To ensure seamless continuity of public healthcare services, the Karo Regency Government initiated the construction of a modern replacement facility spanning land in Rumah Kabanjahe Village and Lingga Village. Designed to upgrade local medical capabilities, the new hospital project integrates funding from the Indonesian central government (APBN) and the local regional budget (APBD). The multi-phase facility will feature modernized emergency care, expanded inpatient capacity, and specialized medical departments aimed at catering to Karo Regency and surrounding highlands in North Sumatra.
