Lambale – a settlement surrounded by small villages in Kabaena Timur District, Bombana Regency
Lambale is an Indonesian settlement located in Sulawesi Tenggara (Southeast Sulawesi) Province, in Bombana Regency, within Kabaena Timur District (kecamatan). Based on its coordinates (approximately –5.35° south latitude, 122.01° east longitude), it is situated on the eastern part of Kabaena Island, which is a relatively isolated area connected to the Banda Sea region. The administrative seat of Bombana Regency is Kasipute, and the administrative unit was created in 2003 through the division of Buton Regency. Since no independent, detailed statistical or encyclopedic sources are available on Lambale itself, the information presented below is based on general data accessible at the Kabaena Timur District and Bombana Regency levels, with this limitation noted throughout.
General overview
Lambale belongs to Kabaena Timur District (kecamatan), which comprises the eastern part of Kabaena Island. Kabaena Island is a relatively small island separated from South Sulawesi and mainland Sulawesi, which can primarily be reached by water transport. Regarding Bombana Regency as a whole, it can be noted that the population exceeded 110,000 by 2005 following its establishment in 2003, and had grown to approximately 169,000 by mid-2025, indicating the regency's gradual development. One indigenous ethnic group living in the regency is the Moronene people, whose members have primarily settled in mainland districts such as Rarowatu, Rarowatu Utara, and Rumbia, though they are also present in other parts of the regency. Life in Kabaena Timur and Lambale is typically characterized by agriculture, fishing, and small-scale trade, as is common in other similarly modest-infrastructure villages in the region. The settlement's size cannot be precisely determined based on available sources, but its location within the island and district characteristics suggest it is a small, agriculturally-oriented rural community.
Real estate and investment
Specific, publicly available data on the real estate market and investment in Lambale and Kabaena Timur District is not accessible. However, based on the broader market context characteristic of Bombana Regency as a whole, it can be stated that the region—like other peripheral areas of Sulawesi Tenggara Province—represents a fundamentally rural, low-transaction-volume real estate market. The island's isolation, limited transportation infrastructure, and relatively low population density typically result in moderate property prices and modest investment activity in such areas. In general terms, in Indonesia foreign individuals cannot acquire full ownership rights (Hak Milik) over property; the legal framework available to them primarily consists of Hak Pakai (usage rights) and Hak Sewa (lease rights), whose duration and conditions are regulated in accordance with Indonesian land law provisions. From an investment perspective, such remote, small-population island communities typically do not fall within the scope of commercial property investors; however, local demand occasionally emerges for areas used for small-scale agriculture or fishing.
Safety and security
Specific statistical data or police reports on public safety in Lambale are not publicly available. Regarding the general security situation in Bombana Regency and Sulawesi Tenggara Province, it can be noted that rural, small-population communities in Indonesian context are typically affected by low-level crime, primarily involving minor property offenses. Island location and closed community structures generally entail stronger community control, a characteristic commonly observed in rural Indonesia. However, settlement-level public safety statements cannot be formulated due to lack of sources; visitors are advised to consult with local authorities and trusted local contacts regarding the current situation.
Tourist attractions
Named tourist attractions specific to Lambale do not appear in available sources. Kabaena Island as a whole—on whose eastern part Kabaena Timur District and Lambale are located—lies in the transitional area between the Banda Sea and the Flores Sea, and is generally characterized by tropical coastal landscape, proximity to coral reefs, and relatively untouched natural environment, features commonly observed in similarly situated South Sulawesi islands. In areas belonging to Bombana Regency, nature-based tourism—primarily diving, fishing tourism, and nature trekking—does occur in the region, though its infrastructure is more modest compared to more developed tourist destinations. However, based on available data, it is not possible to identify specific, source-supported attractions in Lambale and its immediate surroundings.
Summary
Lambale is a small settlement belonging to Kabaena Timur District of Bombana Regency, located in Southeast Sulawesi on the eastern part of Kabaena Island. Bombana Regency was established in 2003 and has become a predominantly rural administrative unit with gradually growing population over the past decades. No independent, detailed public sources are available specifically on Lambale; conclusions about the settlement's characteristics, real estate market, public safety, and tourist value can only be drawn based on the broader regency characteristics and the general features of its island location. For those seeking more precise and current information about Lambale, it is advisable to contact local government bodies or the official administrative office of Bombana Regency.
