Copies of fake land decree sell well in North Sumatra

Copies of fake land decree sell well in North Sumatra

Apriadi Gunawan, Medan

People in Medan are paying millions of rupiah for copies of what
is believed to be a gubernatorial decree that deals with state
land formerly managed by state-owned plantation company PT
Perkebunan Nusantara II (PTPN), which reportedly will be handed
over to people in North Sumatra.

The copies are selling well in the provincial capital because
they include attachments that list plots of state land reportedly
to be handed over to the public and others to be taken over by
the local administration.

According to the decree, which is dated June 1, 2004, the
5,873 hectares of land are located in Langkat, Deli Serdang,
Medan and Binjai regencies.

North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin, who was asked to
confirm the decree on Tuesday, expressed surprise over the
matter, saying he never signed such an order.

But when asked whether the decree was false, the governor only
said it had been "manipulated".

"Certain people have manipulated the decree to tarnish my
image. Whoever has circulated the copies are unscrupulous
scoundrels. Write that down: scoundrels," the visibly angry
governor said.

He accused officials of being behind the case and vowed to
find those responsible.

"I've ordered a number of my staffers to look into the matter.
This is embarrassing," Rizal said.

According to the circulating copies of the decree, the former
PTPN's land will be allocated to several groups, including
former PTPN executives and community members.

Some of the land would also be included in the general
development plans of mayoralties and regencies.

A team formed by the governor has completed discussions on the
allocation of the former PTPN land, but is still waiting for
ministerial approval before handing the land to the public.

Several people in Medan said they had bought copies of the
decree for between Rp 2.5 million (US$300) and Rp 5 million.

However, several people said they obtained copies for free
from officials at the National Land Agency.