Matawine – a small settlement in Kecamatan Lakudo, Central Buton island
Matawine is a settlement located in Kabupaten Buton Tengah (Buton Tengah regency) in the island archipelago of South Celebes (Sulawesi), administratively belonging to Kecamatan Lakudo (district). Based on its geographic coordinates (-5.2797873, 122.5457592), it is situated in the central part of Buton island within the distinctive island and coastal landscape of southeastern Celebes. The broader region, Sulawesi Tenggara (Southeast Sulawesi) province, extends across the southeastern part of Indonesia, with its capital in Kendari. The province itself achieved autonomous territorial status in 1964, and as of early 2025, it is home to approximately 2.85 million people.
General overview
Matawine is not widely known as a tourist or economic destination; based on available data, it is considered a small village of local significance. Administratively, it belongs to Kecamatan Lakudo, which forms part of Kabupaten Buton Tengah. Buton Tengah regency was established in 2014 through the division of the former Kabupaten Buton, making it a relatively new administrative unit. The region is characteristically maritime and island-based: the topography of Buton island is varied, with coastal and interior hilly areas alternating with one another. Since available source material extends only to the provincial level, it is not possible to present independent demographic or economic data specific to the settlement; the characteristics provided describe the broader surroundings, Kecamatan Lakudo and Kabupaten Buton Tengah in general terms. Local livelihoods, typical of island-based communities in Southeast Sulawesi region, are generally based on fishing, small-scale agriculture, and the informal sector, although no specific data regarding Matawine is available.
Real estate and investment
Detailed and reliable real estate market data for Matawine and its immediate surroundings, the Lakudo district, are not found in publicly available sources. The broader real estate market of Buton Tengah regency presumably exhibits dynamics characteristic of smaller, developing regions in Southeast Sulawesi: compared to more developed coastal or urban areas, prices are modest, though slower liquidity and limited infrastructure development are also typical features. It is worth noting the generally applicable legal framework governing land ownership in Indonesia: foreign nationals cannot acquire full ownership rights (Hak Milik) to real estate in Indonesia, while certain long-term lease arrangements (Hak Sewa) and nominal ownership solutions are legally regulated, though they require complex legal approaches. From an investment perspective, in such smaller, less-mapped regions, strategies that are more risk-prone and account for longer return periods are more realistic; the development of infrastructure and accessibility will significantly influence the evolution of property values in the future.
Safety and security
Specific, verifiable statistics regarding public safety in Matawine are not available. Regarding Sulawesi Tenggara province as a whole, it can be said that compared to other more developed or densely populated regions of Indonesia, smaller rural communities in southeastern Celebes generally exhibit quieter, less crime-intensive lifestyles. However, neither Wikipedia sources nor other verifiable data provide specific numerical information on this matter for the province, so observations regarding public safety should be considered merely general regional observations rather than verified factual statements. It is advisable to inquire about local conditions from local branches of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) or from the administration of Kabupaten Buton Tengah before traveling or settling in the area.
Tourist attractions
The available source material does not contain named tourist attractions specific to Matawine. The broader region, Buton island and Buton Tengah regency, is nonetheless generally known for its characteristic natural and cultural values typical of Southeast Sulawesi: coral reefs and coastal areas can be found on the coasts of Buton island, which form part of the region's natural heritage. The historical legacy of the Wolio sultanate is also evident on the island — Baubau city, the former capital of the sultanate, can be reached from other, more significant points on the island, though the exact distance from Matawine cannot be stated precisely due to the lack of verified data. All these attractions characterize the broader region; named attractions specific to the immediate vicinity of Matawine cannot be provided based on sources.
Summary
Matawine is a small settlement in Kecamatan Lakudo of Kabupaten Buton Tengah in Sulawesi Tenggara province, located in the central area of Buton island. Direct, detailed information about the village is not available, so only the broader provincial and regency-level context can provide a framework for understanding it. The character of the region — its island location, varied natural environment, and developing administrative structure — determines Matawine's general character as well. For those interested in the region, it is advisable to obtain information about current conditions from local government agencies and reliable local sources.
