BP BUMN Speaks Out on Kakek Mujiran Case

Dony Oskaria, Head of the State-Owned Enterprises Regulatory Body (BP BUMN) and Chief Operating Officer of Danantara, issued a stern rebuke to PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) management. The action follows the criminalisation of elderly man Kakek Mujiran in Lampung, who was prosecuted for collecting leftover rubber sap from the state-owned plantation’s land.

Dony Oskaria strongly condemned the handling of the issue that disregarded humanitarian values, reminding all state-owned enterprises (SOEs) that their purpose is to protect, not oppress, the common people.

“I strongly condemn the reporting and criminalisation of ordinary citizens, especially an elderly man like Kakek Mujiran. SOEs belong to the people, built with public funds, and entrusted to deliver maximum benefit to the public,” Dony Oskaria stated in Jakarta on Sunday (24 May).

Dony stressed that criminalising impoverished citizens merely trying to survive severely damages the dignity of SOEs. In follow-up, BP BUMN and Danantara issued three strict directives to PTPN’s board:

“We must resolve welfare issues through guidance, not prosecution. SOEs must act as solutions to protect, not as instruments that imprison struggling citizens.”

The Kakek Mujiran case now serves as a stark warning for all SOE directors in Indonesia. Dony announced a comprehensive review of asset security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all BUMN sectors.

Moving forward, a more humane and restorative justice approach must be prioritised in resolving conflicts with communities near operational areas. This aims to return SOEs to their core mission of working entirely for the people’s benefit.

Dony also offered a personal apology as BP BUMN Head for the incident that undermined public trust in justice. He stressed that there must be no room for state institution arrogance towards the poor in future.