GRIB Jaya Claims Land in Tanah Abang Using Eigendom Verponding, Expert: No Longer Recognised
Advocate Muhammad Ismak states that the use of the 1923 Eigendom Verponding as the basis for the legal team’s claim by Gerakan Rakyat Indonesia Bersatu (GRIB) Jaya regarding ownership of land in the Bongkaran Tanah Abang area, Central Jakarta, is no longer recognised.
He assesses that since the enactment of the Basic Agrarian Law (UUPA) in 1960, colonial-era land ownership documents are no longer recognised as primary proof of ownership.
“Normatively, eigendom is similar to Letter C and other Western-origin documents. After the 1960 Agrarian Law recognised certificates, they are no longer recognised,” he said to Kompas.com via WhatsApp message on Sunday (12/4/2026).
“Currently, eigendom does not serve as an indicator of land ownership, but as a guiding document. It indicates that the ancestors of the eigendom owner once owned the land and it can be converted,” he added.
Meanwhile, a lecturer in Agrarian Law at the University of Indonesia, Hendriani Parwitasari, reminds of the provisions in Government Regulation (PP) Number 18 of 2021.
The regulation stipulates that old documents such as Eigendom Verponding must be converted into certificates no later than February 2026.
“If one wishes to register, there are requirements. So it is no longer a very strong proof. Even if one wants to register again, there must be other requirements,” Hendriani stated when contacted separately on Sunday.
Previously reported, the legal team of Gerakan Rakyat Indonesia Bersatu (GRIB) Jaya, Wilson Colling, emphasised that his client, Sulaeman Effendi, has a strong basis regarding the claim of ownership of the land in the Bongkaran area, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.
The proof of ownership is in the form of Eigendom Verponding Number 946 of 1923 in the name of Iljas Radjo Mentari.
The land in question, covering approximately 34,690 square metres, is located in the Bongkaran Tanah Abang area, encompassing the Kebon Kacang and Kebon Melati sub-districts.
The land boundaries are: to the north bordering the Tinggi Bridge, to the east with the main road, to the west with the railway tracks and river, and to the south bordering a residential area.
“Sulaeman Effendi is the legitimate heir who still holds the original ownership document that has been in place for more than a century,” Wilson stated in Tanah Abang on Friday (10/4/2026).
According to Wilson, there has never been any valid process of rights release or compensation from the previous owner to the state.