DPR Commits to Follow Up Aspirations After Receiving KNARA Protest Audience
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) is committed to following up on the aspirations of the National Agrarian Reform Coalition (KNARA) after receiving an audience with representatives of the protesters in front of the parliament building in Jakarta on Monday.
The Deputy Speaker of the DPR, Saan Mustopa, stated that the Special Committee (Pansus) on Agrarian Reform will identify the points of aspiration presented to be further coordinated with parliamentary committees as well as relevant ministries and agencies.
“Because this involves multiple commissions and institutions, both agencies and ministries, it will be handled specifically by the Special Committee team. The Special Committee will attempt to synchronise what you have presented,” he said.
According to him, this synchronisation will be carried out in a short timeframe. He noted that the aspirations presented by KNARA will serve as material for the internal coordination meeting of the DPR RI Special Committee on Agrarian Reform.
“Hopefully, we can schedule this in the special committee meeting next week. We will synchronise the agenda to invite the relevant parties,” said Saan, who also serves as the chairman of the committee.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of Commission IV of the DPR, Siti Hediati Hariyadi, also known as Titiek Soeharto, expressed her concern after hearing the complaints from KNARA representatives. She stated that these complaints would be discussed in inter-commission meetings and with the government.
“We will map them out one by one, to see whether it involves the police or if there has been any intimidation,” said Tithem, who is also the Daily Chairperson of the DPR Special Committee on Agrarian Reform.
She also called upon the police force to prioritise a humanistic approach and to resolve agrarian issues within the community effectively. This was in response to complaints from protest representatives who claimed they had faced intimidation.
Regarding the issue of overlapping land ownership that also emerged during the forum, Titiek mentioned that her party would seek a wise solution.
“We will strive to resolve this as best as we can,” she said.
During the audience, the Chairperson of the National Board of KNARA, Wahida Baharuddin Upa, urged the DPR to accelerate the resolution of agrarian conflicts and ensure follow-up action regarding the revocation of land use rights (HGU) for companies that violate people’s rights.
“I believe this is not a matter of being brave or not, but rather whether the Ministry of ATR/BPN or the Ministry of Forestry can truly be firm. If rights are to be revoked, then revoke them, while certainly providing certainty to the community,” said Wahida.