Public access to natural resources<\/p>\n
Dadan Wijaksana, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) concluded on Tuesday
\nits preliminary debate on the draft decree for Agrarian Reform
\nand Natural Resource Management that will lay the foundation for
\nreform of subordinate regulations.<\/p>\n
The long-awaited draft is expected to be presented before a
\nhigher commission for reassessment on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The draft decree became the first to pass preliminary
\ndeliberation in the Annual Session that will last until Friday.<\/p>\n
The new decree will enable people to have greater access to
\nutilization of the country's natural resources, thus helping
\nminimize social conflicts over natural resources.<\/p>\n
\"The draft is crucial, as in the past access to the
\nutilization of natural resources has created various conflicts,\"
\nErwin Singaruju, spokesman of Indonesian Democratic Party faction
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"We, therefore, have to ensure that this decree will guarantee
\nfair and sustainable management of natural resources.\"<\/p>\n
The need for reform in the agrarian sector has long been
\nvoiced by various elements of society as the common people have
\noften borne the brunt of injustices stemming from land ownership.
\nThe common people have weak bargaining power when faced with
\npowerful capitalists and those who are politically well
\nconnected.<\/p>\n
Many feel that the existing law favors investors and
\nbusinesspeople rather than the local people.<\/p>\n
A.M. Lutfi of the Reform Faction expressed optimism that the
\nnew decree would help prevent conflicts related to land disputes.<\/p>\n
\"If finalized, this (MPR decree) will help solve and prevent
\nagrarian conflicts that often occurred in the past,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The decree focuses on ownership and the utilization of land
\nwith respect to land ownership by the local people, including
\nboth cultivated and urban land.<\/p>\n
However, the debate on agrarian reform has yet to cover forest
\nareas, coastal areas and locations where mining activities take
\nplace.<\/p>\n
Key Points<\/p>\n
Agrarian Reform
\n * reevaluate current related regulations to synchronize inter-
\nsector policy
\n * restructure the control, ownership and utilization of land
\n * conduct data collection on land
\n * aid conflict resolution relating to land disputes<\/p>\n
Natural Resource Management
\n * reevaluate current related regulations to synchronize inter-
\nsector policy
\n * provide the common people with broader access to information on
\npotential natural resources in their area
\n * end and prevent conflicts relating to the utilization of
\nnatural resources<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/public-access-to-natural-resources-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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