Govt agency seeks strict land use law

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Land Agency (BPN) is drafting a bill that will regulate the purposes for which land may be used.

BPN chairman Lutfi Nasoetion said that the planned bill was part of a revision of Law No. 5/1960 on land reform, which does place any controls over land.

Speaking during a meeting with House of Representatives Commission II on government, regional autonomy and land affairs on Tuesday, Lutfi said it was necessary to balance the use of land for different purposes.

According to the planned bill, land will be categorized into land for agricultural and land for other purposes, as well as land for individual or legal entity ownership.

Plantations and fish ponds are classified as agricultural land while housing, resorts, hotels or industrial areas are classified as other purposes.

The law will also limit ownership of land by individuals and legal entities, including government institutions, but details have not been made available.

Lutfi said the revised version of the Land Reform Law would not ignore tribal land rights.

He added that his office was also drafting a bill on land rights and land acquisition for development activities.