Govt Releases a 2,800 Hectare-Land to Indigenous Community
Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN) Sofyan A. Djalil delivers a press statement after attending a Limited Cabinet Meeting, at the President’s Office, Jakarta, Friday (3/5). (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)
The Indonesian Government decided to release 2,800 hectares of land to indigenous community of Sinama Nenek in Kampar regency, Riau Province after 22 years of land dispute between the community and state-owned plantation holding company PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) V.
“The PTPN V decided to release (the land) and give its rights to the community,” Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN) Sofyan A. Djalil said during a press conference after attending a Limited Cabinet Meeting, at the President’s Office, Jakarta, Friday (3/5).
Sofyan explained that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo had ordered to resolve land dispute issues that often occurred between a community and state-owned companies, and this issue was the first dispute to be resolved.
Furthermore, the Government ordered the regional government to list the name of the land-rights recipients.
In addition, regarding Batam Island, although a Presidential Regulation stated that every inch of land in Batam Island is under the authority of the BP Batam (Batam Industrial Development Authority), the Government decided to hand over the land ownership in parts of Batam to the old villages residents who live in the island long before the establishment of the BP Batam.
This includes as much as 200 meters of land under the BP Batam authority which will be released to local communities.
“Another priority is to resolve disputes of old villages located in land concession or forests,” Sofyan concluded. (FID/RAH/ES)
Translated by : Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Edited by : Estu Widyamurti, Mia M. Bonaedy
