Fixing Village Treasury Land Governance After Corruption Cases in Sleman

Sultanate land is an invaluable asset for the people of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY). As part of the kagungan dalem, the land is not merely a physical asset but also holds historical, cultural, and spiritual dimensions. A portion of this Sultanate land is utilised as Village Treasury Land (Tanah Kas Desa/TKD), managed by the village government for the benefit of the community. However, in recent years, several corruption cases involving the management of TKD have tarnished the noble values attached to Sultanate land. Cases in Caturtunggal (2023), Margokaton (2025), and Condongcatur (2026) have served as a major alarm for the governance of Sultanate land in DIY. Where does the vulnerability lie that allows village treasury land to be so easily misappropriated? The root of the problem in the misuse of TKD often stems from a low understanding of regulations. Although its management has been regulated in DIY Governor Regulation No. 24 of 2024, implementation on the ground still leaves various issues. In several cases, village officials allegedly ignored licensing procedures involving Panitikismo, the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace, and the DIY Land and Spatial Planning Agency (Dispertaru). The lengthy licensing process is often cited as a reason, even though the mechanism is precisely designed to protect Sultanate land from misuse. When rules are ignored, the gap for abuse widens, and regulatory compliance is defeated by short-term interests for profit.