Mataholat – a small settlement in the Kei Islands region, Maluku province
Mataholat is an Indonesian village located in Maluku Tenggara regency, which forms part of Maluku province, specifically within Kei Besar kecamatan. Based on its coordinates (−5.635° south latitude, 133.029° east longitude), it is situated on Kei Besar, or Greater Kei Island, in the southern part of the Moluccas. The capital of Maluku province is Ambon city; the province had approximately 1.94 million inhabitants at the end of 2024. Direct statistical or encyclopedic source material at the settlement level is not available for Mataholat, therefore the following sections present more general characteristics of the broader region — Kei Besar kecamatan, Maluku Tenggara regency, and Maluku province — with clear indication of context.
General overview
Mataholat belongs to Kei Besar kecamatan, which extends across Kei Besar Island, the larger member of the Kei Islands group. The Kei Islands lie south of the Banda Sea, adjacent to the Arafura Sea, and form part of Maluku Tenggara regency. Kei Besar kecamatan itself encompasses numerous small villages; these communities typically depend on traditional livelihoods — fishing, agriculture, and small-scale trade. The region as a whole is characterized by the distance between islands and limited road infrastructure, which determines the rhythm of local life, with cargo transport and travel taking place predominantly by sea. Maluku province as a whole has historically been one of the most important centers of the spice trade: the cultivation of cloves and nutmeg shaped the region's economic and cultural character for centuries, earning the archipelago the name "Spice Islands." This legacy remains perceptible in local livelihoods and identity today. Mataholat itself does not feature in widely known tourism or economic sources, suggesting it is a smaller community of local significance, primarily agricultural and fishing in character.
Real estate and investment
No publicly available sources contain direct real estate market data specific to Mataholat; therefore, the following presents general relationships that apply at the broader level of Maluku Tenggara regency and Maluku province. The Kei Islands region, particularly certain parts of the Kei Kecil and Kei Besar areas, has attracted increasing tourism interest over the past decade, primarily due to natural features — coral reefs and white sandy beaches. This trend has resulted in modest real estate market activity in some areas, though development infrastructure remains generally underdeveloped in the region. In Indonesia, foreign nationals cannot acquire full ownership rights (Hak Milik) over property; legal alternatives available to them are Hak Pakai (usage rights) and Hak Sewa (leasing rights). Before making investment decisions, it is advisable to consult a local legal expert and the competent branch of Badan Pertanahan Nasional (BPN, the Indonesian national land office). In a small, difficult-to-access village like Mataholat, property transactions are expected to be minimal, characterized primarily by local rather than external investor interest.
Safety and security
Factual public safety statistics specific to Mataholat are not available in publicly accessible sources. Maluku province experienced a period marked by religious and ethnic tensions in the early 2000s; however, this is a closed chapter in the province's history, and the situation has generally stabilized since. The Kei Islands region has traditionally been an area with relatively stable community structures, where strong local ties and traditional forms of regulation play an important role in maintaining public order. As in many less urbanized and infrastructurally underdeveloped regions of Indonesia, police presence and service capacity may be more limited than in larger cities. For travelers and residents, the generally recommended prudence applies, and it is advisable to make prior contact with local authorities and community leaders in the case of longer stays or investment intentions.
Tourist attractions
No verifiable source identifies specific named tourist attractions associated with Mataholat. The broader Kei Islands region, however, is known for its natural values: Kei Besar Island has varied topography, dense tropical vegetation, and its coastal areas are characterized by coral reefs and fish-rich waters. In the region, marine life — diving, snorkeling, fishing — holds appeal for those who travel there. Maluku province as a whole may be of cultural interest from the perspective of spice history: the province's territory contains remains from the colonial period, including ruins of former trading posts and fortifications, though these are primarily associated with Ambon city and its surroundings rather than with villages in Kei Besar kecamatan. Reliable information about Mataholat's actual tourism offerings can only be obtained on site from the local community.
Summary
Mataholat is a small Indonesian village belonging to Kei Besar kecamatan in Maluku Tenggara regency, Maluku province, located in the southern part of the Molucca archipelago. In the absence of direct, settlement-level data, the place is understood primarily through broader regional context — the natural and cultural characteristics of the Kei Islands and the spice-trade heritage of Maluku province. Regarding real estate market and public safety, the general characteristics of the region provide points of reference; for precise, location-specific information, contact with local authorities and community members is necessary.
