The controversy surrounding allegations of sago land seizure\nbelonging to residents of Pekaka Village, East Lingga Subdistrict,\nLingga Regency, continues to unfold. Field inspections have revealed\nthat the land clearing activities conducted by the company have also\nimpacted the community\u2019s sago gardens.<\/p>\n
The Head of the Agriculture and Food Security Office of Lingga\nRegency, Said Hendri, stated that his office had conducted direct checks\nfollowing the circulation of information and videos related to the\nincident.<\/p>\n
\u201cRegarding the circulating video and information, we have carried out\ndirect checks in the field,\u201d he said on Friday (3\/4).<\/p>\n
The inspection results found impacts from land clearing activities at\nseveral points, namely blocks E46, E47, F46, and F50. Eleven residents\nwere reported affected, with an estimated land area of around 2 hectares\nper person.<\/p>\n
According to Said Hendri, the residents\u2019 sago land is scattered in\nsmall spots, thus also affected during the land opening process.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe sago land is scattered in small spots, so it was also impacted,\u201d\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He also revealed that the company did not implement a buffer zone or\nprotection area around the residents\u2019 garden areas, which should serve\nas a barrier to prevent damage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis incident was triggered by several factors such as weak field\nsupervision, miscommunication between management and contractors, and\nincomplete community land data at the village level,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the company, through the Regional General Director of CAA\nGroup which oversees PT Citra Sugi Aditya (CSA), Guarman, denied any\nelement of intent in the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis incident was not intentional. The contractor only passed\nthrough the sago garden and trampled on newly grown plants,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He added that the company has taken resolution steps by providing\ncompensation to the affected residents.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will provide compensation to the garden owners and they have\nagreed to it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, residents of Pekaka Village continue to demand\naccountability for the damage that occurred. One village youth, Bustami,\nviewed the action as a form of land seizure.<\/p>\n
\u201cResidents\u2019 sago gardens were cleared without permission for palm oil\nplantation interests. We demand the company take responsibility,\u201d he\nasserted.<\/p>\n
As an interim handling measure, the local government has halted land\nclearing activities in the affected area while awaiting further\nresolution.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/without-buffer-zone-residents-sago-gardens-affected-by-land-clearing-1775268598", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }