'The key issue is negotiation'<\/p>\n
The government has finally issued a regulation on land
\nacquisition in an effort to speed up the construction of major
\ninfrastructure projects. However, many say that the new
\nregulation sacrifices the rights of property owners whose land is
\nneeded for the projects. The Jakarta Post asked some Jakarta
\npeople for their thoughts on the issue.<\/p>\n
Multaman, 29, works in a firm on Jl. Kebayoran Baru, South
\nJakarta. He lives in Karet subdistrict, Central Jakarta:<\/p>\n
The issuance of the presidential decree on land acquisition will
\nplace the public in a very weak position as they can be forced to
\ngive up their land if the state wants to develop public
\nfacilities on it.<\/p>\n
The decree says that the amount of compensation should be
\ndecided through negotiation. If the negotiations fail to produce
\nan agreement, the dispute can be brought to the court.<\/p>\n
The problem is that our judicial system is still poor. Critics
\nsay that bribery is still rampant in our law institutions -- the
\npolice, the prosecution service, and the courts.<\/p>\n
Such a situation weakens the bargaining position of the public
\nvis-a-vis the state, particularly for those who have no money to
\npay bribes or hire good lawyers.<\/p>\n
This presidential decree would be good only if we already had
\na good legal system.<\/p>\n
Rahma Hudayati, 35, is a public relations officer, whose
\noffice is on Jl. Rasuna Said, South Jakarta. She lives on Jl.
\nCiputat Raya, Pondok Pinang subdistrict, also in South Jakarta:<\/p>\n
I myself agree with the presidential decree because a number
\nof public projects will not be able to go ahead because of
\ndisputes over land acquisition.<\/p>\n
I think the key issue in the decree is negotiation. People
\nhave the right to propose a price for their land to the local
\nadministration.<\/p>\n
The people in those areas affected by infrastructure projects
\nneed to unite so as to increase their bargaining power. If
\nnecessary, they can pay lawyers to negotiate with the government
\nif the issue is to be brought to court.<\/p>\n
The problem is that our legal system is not yet credible. The
\nstrong and the rich can buy favorable court decisions.<\/p>\n
I think the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is
\nimportant in advocating on behalf of people whose land is to be
\nacquired. Particularly uneducated citizens. Without help from
\nNGOs, they won't be able to defend their rights.<\/p>\n
--The Jakarta Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-key-issue-is-negotiation-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }