1,297 Merah Putih Cooperative Buildings in Central Java Stand on Protected Rice Fields

A total of 1,297 Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives (KDKMP) in Central Java Province are located on Protected Rice Fields (LSD). Under the regulations, LSD is prohibited from being converted.

Acting Head of the Central Java Cooperatives and SMEs Office, Desy Arijani, revealed that the number of KDKMP established in Central Java has reached 8,523 units. However, only 63 percent, or around 5,400 KDKMP, are already operational.

She acknowledged that there are KDKMP buildings in Central Java standing on LSD. “Those standing on LSD number 1,297,” Desy said when interviewed at her office on Wednesday (12/8/2026).

Desy admitted she does not know exactly why KDKMP buildings were erected on LSD. The location of each KDKMP was determined through village deliberation, while the infrastructure construction was carried out by PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara in cooperation with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI).

Nevertheless, Desy said the 1,297 KDKMP built on LSD are spread across 35 regencies and cities in Central Java. “We do not yet know what the discretion or resolution will be. Because this means involving other ministries such as ATR/BPN,” Desy said regarding the fate of the KDKMP already built on LSD.

Desy explained that under the regulations, LSD may not be converted. “We have coordinated with ATR/BPN and also PUPR, but so far there has been no decision from the government on what will be done next. Whether it will be regularised or something else, I do not know yet,” she said.

As far as she knows, if LSD is converted, there should be land replacement. “Under the law, it must replace land three times the area that was converted. But that is not easy,” Desy said.

Previously, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi stated that a number of KDKMP buildings in Central Java stand on Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (LP2B). “There are several of our KDKMP located on LP2B land,” Luthfi said after a meeting with the National Strategy for Corruption Prevention (Stranas PK) team attended by regents and mayors across Central Java at Gradhika Bhakti Praja Building, Semarang City, on 13 June 2026.

Luthfi added that the Stranas PK team has recorded KDKMP in Central Java standing on LP2B. He said there were two main issues discussed with the Stranas PK team, one of which concerned the revitalisation of LP2B.

According to Luthfi, regarding buildings standing on LP2B, including KDKMP, his office is currently mapping and collecting data. “We will consult with the Ministry of ATR/BPN later,” he said.