Gov’t to Settle Land Issues in N. Sumatra

Minister Sofyan Djalil after attending a limited meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Wednesday (11/3). (Photo by: Public Relations/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo instructed a team to be led by Minister of SOEs and several agencies including Minister of Finance, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning (ATR)/Head of the National Land Agency (BPN), Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces, the National Police Chief, and the Attorney General, to thoroughly resolve land issue in Medan, North Sumatra, Minister of (ATR)/Head of the BPN Sofyan Djalil has said.

“Land mafia is the main issue of land problems in Medan, instead of legal issue. This must be resolved comprehensively,” the Minister said after a limited meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta.

He exemplified the issue of the former Cultivation Rights Title (HGU) of  PT. Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) II which spans 5,800 hectares. “Of the 5,800 hectares, 2,600 hectares have received released (permit) from Ministry of SOEs, to then be used in a redistribution program. The 3,100 hectares are still being further identified by the Governor,” the Minister stated.

The land, according to Sofyan, will be redistributed to those who are entitled and later who have to pay in accordance with applicable regulations.

The Minister went on to say that the President also wanted the former Medan Polonia airport land issue to be thoroughly solved. Of the 590 hectares of the land, there are 260 hectares still occupied by the people. This issue, he said, must be resolved by the team in accordance with existing regulations. (HIM/EN)

Translated by: Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by: Mia M. Bonaedy