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.