Compensation Values for Shortcut Vary Widely, Pegayaman Residents Storm Buleleng DPRD
Residents of Pegayaman Village stormed the Buleleng DPRD office, demanding clarity on land compensation for the acquisition related to the Singaraja-Mengwitani shortcut project at points 9 and 10, on Friday (10/4/2026). They consider the compensation values non-transparent and detrimental since the process began in 2019.
Accompanied by their legal representative, Hilman Eka Rabbani, the residents requested that the DPRD intervene to resolve the communication deadlock with the Bali Provincial Government (Pemprov) and the appraisal team, which they accuse of never providing full explanations.
“The main point is that the DPRD Chairman will facilitate the community’s wishes regarding the resolution of the land acquisition process at points 9 and 10,” said Hilman on Friday.
Hilman revealed that the total disputed land amounts to around 1 hectare owned by 14 households across 19 plots. The primary issue lies in the determination of compensation values, which are deemed inconsistent despite the lands being adjacent.
“In the appraisal records, the price per are varies from Rp 19.5 million, Rp 25 million, to Rp 38 million. Yet the lands are side by side. This has never been explained to the community,” he emphasised.
He also highlighted that the valuation basis still refers to 2019 prices. Meanwhile, current land prices in the area are said to have surged to around Rp 40 million per are. In addition, residents have found suspected discrepancies in field data.
“For example, there are 10 clove trees, but only 6 are recorded. This is clearly detrimental,” he stated.
Residents’ disappointment has peaked due to unfulfilled promises of price evaluation made by Bali Governor Wayan Koster in 2021. Since the last discussion that year, residents claim they have received no further clarity.
“The last discussion was in 2021. After that, there was no progress. Suddenly there was a groundbreaking, and the community was shocked because the issue was not yet resolved,” said Hilman.
One resident, M Alvi Azhari, revealed that there was an attempt at mediation at the end of 2025 facilitated by the TNI. However, the compensation option in the form of livestock was deemed unrealistic, and discussions stalled.
“We held another meeting last month, I asked Pak Dandim again, but it’s no longer possible because it’s the beginning of the year now, so that option is no longer available,” he explained.
He also mentioned the emergence of wild rumours cornering the residents, including false news about a legal case involving one of them.
“There is no direct intimidation, just creating issues. Last time, they created an issue that one of these 14 people was caught. Caught for drugs or something else. After we confirmed with Pak Babin, it turned out to be untrue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Buleleng DPRD Chairman Ketut Ngurah Arya acknowledged that this issue has dragged on since 2019 without reaching a resolution. He noted a stark gap between the appraisal results and real field prices.
“Indeed, the appraisal is at Rp 19.4 million per are. But the community states the real field price can reach Rp 40 million,” he said.
Arya affirmed that the DPRD will endeavour to bridge the interests of residents and the government, including coordinating with the Buleleng Regency Government and conducting direct field checks.
“We do not want affected residents to end up impoverished. Do not let them be evicted but unable to buy land again or build a house. The shortcut is important, but residents’ welfare is more important,” he emphasised.
He added that the entire process must still adhere to applicable regulations, including the appraisal mechanism. However, if field discrepancies are found, they will be treated as serious notes for follow-up.
“If it’s indeed like that in the field, this must be a serious concern. But we are still bound by the rules,” he concluded.