Don't Rush to Agree: Landowners' Rights in Toll Project Land Acquisition

Landowners affected by toll projects often focus solely on the compensation amount they will receive. However, before agreeing to land acquisition consultation outcomes, landowners must understand the rights guaranteed under legislation. Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid stressed that land acquisition for development must prioritise fairness for affected communities. ‘The state must provide legal certainty and fair compensation to communities whose land is used for public benefit,’ Nusron stated during a Joint Working Session (Raker) and Hearing (RDP) with the Second Commission of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) in Jakarta on Monday, 19 January 2026. This principle aligns with Article 9 of Law No. 2 of 2012 on Land Acquisition for Public Benefit, which states that land acquisition must provide fair and adequate compensation to rightful claimants. Therefore, landowners should not hastily accept compensation offers without understanding their rights. One right citizens possess is receiving information about planned construction projects. This is stipulated in Law 2/2012, which mandates authorities requiring land to conduct public consultations before finalising the project location. Thus, citizens’ land cannot be taken without prior notification and community involvement. After the location is finalised, officials will conduct land inventory and identification. At this stage, landowners have the right to verify that recorded data accurately reflects the land’s actual conditions, including area, structures, crops, and other assets. This data forms the basis for compensation assessments, so communities must actively monitor the data collection process. Many believe compensation amounts are set by the government or Toll Road Business Entities (BUJT). In reality, compensation is determined based on assessments by independent public appraisers.