Samili – a settlement in Woha district, Sumbawa island
Samili is a village within Woha kecamatan (district), which belongs to Kabupaten Bima regency in Nusa Tenggara Barat province, situated among Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands. The settlement is located on Sumbawa island, forming part of an important region in the eastern section of the Indonesian archipelago. Although Samili is a smaller, characteristically rural settlement, the island location of Bima regency and its natural endowments have made the entire region part of the broader regional tourism and economic dynamics over recent decades.
General overview
Samili belongs to Woha district, which is also the administrative seat of Kabupaten Bima. The settlement is an island community organized according to the structure typical of Indonesian rural settlements. Kabupaten Bima, to which Samili belongs, had a population of approximately 532,677 people in 2020, with the regency's population density at 156 persons/km². This means that while the entire kabupaten is a moderately populated area, the island topography and infrastructural conditions lead to scattered, concentric settlement patterns. Samili's position within Woha district suggests close integration with the administrative center's infrastructure, though in the absence of settlement-level specific data, reliance must be placed on general organizational and regional context. The settlement is part of the island community system administered by Indonesian community governance bodies (kesemuhumitários).
Real estate and investment
The real estate market in Kabupaten Bima regency develops according to general Indonesian island dynamics. Kabupaten Bima, where Samili is located, has experienced intensifying infrastructure development in recent decades, leading to improved island transportation connections and strengthening of the tourism sector. Regarding property rights, according to Indonesian law, foreigners are prohibited from owning agricultural land or residential plots — as individuals, they may only lease such properties through 30-year usufruct contracts, or through 30-year renewable leasing agreements. Conversely, investment in non-residential properties (such as hotels, offices) is permitted under certain conditions. Samili's position in an island region means the real estate market is primarily fed by local demand and demand from the regency and neighboring regions. Due to improvements in island infrastructure, real estate development has attracted increasing attention in recent years, particularly in tourism-related accommodation and commercial properties. However, data indicates that Bima regency has a less developed large-scale real estate market than, for example, Bali or nearby larger urban areas, thus property prices (both unit values and absolute values) are significantly lower than in prominent tourism centers.
Safety and security
The general security profile of Bima regency indicates that Nusa Tenggara Barat province, as an island area, maintains a relatively stable public security situation. The traditional structure of island communities and strong community bonds generally lead to lower crime rates compared to major cities. Samili, as a smaller settlement, continues to be characterized by cohesive community support networks. It is generally characteristic of Indonesian island regions that organized crime (mass theft, violent offenses) is far rarer than in larger cities or specifically touristic zones. The presence of the Indonesian National Police (Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia) and local community security organizations (Babinsa — military community security units, and Kamtibmas — public order and security coordination organizations) is maintained even in such island communities. However, the limited transportation options of the island area mean that law enforcement response times may be longer than in urban areas.
Tourist attractions
Samili at the village level does not have registered noted international tourist attractions in available sources. However, the settlement should be understood within the context of Woha district and Bima regency, which possess stronger tourist appeal. Kabupaten Bima regency has recently begun tourism development, representing the island tourism expansion occurring throughout Indonesia. The regency's natural and cultural offerings — including coastlines, local traditional communities, and points of orientation — are receiving increasing attention. Historical and religious sites located on the island (such as monuments of Islamic culture and the historical threads of Bima sultanate) form part of the regional tourist composition. The nearby Sumbawa island, as well as the neighboring Komodo National Park and other Lesser Sunda Islands attractions, make the region part of a larger tourism network. Samili may be of interest within the framework of island community tourism for those interested in authentic, non-commercialized island life and culture, though dedicated tourist infrastructure at the settlement is likely limited.
Summary
Samili is an island settlement in Kabupaten Bima regency on Sumbawa island, belonging to Nusa Tenggara Barat province. The settlement carries the typical characteristics of Indonesian island rural communities, while participating in the regency's infrastructure development and regional economic dynamics. The real estate market is dispersed and primarily fed by local demand, within the framework of Indonesian land tenure regulations. Public security is relatively stable due to island community cohesion and law enforcement presence. While the settlement lacks direct tourist appeal, the growing tourism sector of Bima regency and the Lesser Sunda Islands tourism network are opening increasing opportunities for the region.
