Introductory Remarks of President Joko Widodo at the Limited Meeting on Forest Land Use Policy, 26 February 2019, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta

Unofficial English Translation

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

May prosperity be upon us all,

Honorable Vice President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

This afternoon’s Limited Meeting will discuss Forest Land Use Policy. I need to remind you that the policy on utilizing land in forest areas is very important in order to provide legal protection, especially for people who use land in forest areas.

The last time I went to Bengkulu, a local told me that his old village is located in a private company concession area, which led to land conflict and then the village was lost. The same thing also occurred in Java Island, especially in the Perhutani (state-owned forestry company) areas. Many villages in Perhutani areas, for example, cannot have their roads paved because it needs permission (from Perhutani).

I think such matters should be immediately resolved. We need to immediately carry out the inventory and verification of land tenure in forest areas so that the locals can get the benefits. Don’t let the process be complicated, make it simple and quick, so that the people’s complaints can be resolved quickly,” he added.

I think I conclude my remarks here.(Public Relation of Cabinet secretariat)(GWH/AW/YM/Naster)