Farmers to sue Soeharto over Tapos cattle ranch

JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of farmers from Cibedug, Bogor, plan to sue former president Soeharto for allegedly seizing their land in the early 1970s when he developed a sprawling cattle ranch.

Accompanied by Bogor-based Pakuan University student activists, their representatives lobbied the National Commission on Human Rights yesterday to assist in regaining their property.

They claimed 300 hectares of the 750-hectare Tri-S Tapos ranch -- considered one of the country's foremost cattle-breeding facilities -- belonged to 500 Cibedug farm families who received no land compensation.

"We are determined to sue Soeharto. While we prepare for the lawsuit, we hope the rights body will persuade the Bogor regent and security authorities to allow us to farm the land," farmers' spokesman Teddy Wibisana said.

In a desperate attempt to regain the land, the Cibedug farmers have on three occasions tried to occupy the ranch. The latest attempt occurred Wednesday when about 300 villagers clashed with the ranch's security officers and were forced to retreat.

"Today we will make another try," Teddy said.

He added that thousands of residents in villages around the Tapos ranch were suffering food shortages but were still prohibited from farming the land.

The ranch is currently managed by PT Rejo Sari Bumi, a company controlled by Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti "Tutut" Hardijanti Rukmana.

A farmer and two students who tried to break up the clash were beaten by security officers, farmers said.

According to Teddy, Cibedug villagers farmed the disputed 300 hectares between 1942 and 1972. The remaining 450 hectares belonged to other farmers from other adjacent villages.

"They found their land bulldozed and turned into the Tapos ranch without any compensation," he recalled.

The commission's secretary-general, Baharudin Lopa, suggested the farmers prepare witnesses who could testify that the land was their rightful property because they did not possess documents to support their claim.

"Just go ahead with your plan to sue Soeharto. Probably you will lose because you don't have (ownership) documents. But you could win if you can prove Soeharto took your land illegally," Lopa said.

He also recommended that the farmers meet with Soeharto to ask him to relinquish the land.

"It sounds impossible that Soeharto would talk to you. But if God opens Soeharto's heart, he could return your land. Who knows?"

Lopa said the commission would send a letter to Soeharto. "We will send it to a citizen named Soeharto, telling him that you demand the land." (jun)