House Leaders Receive Agrarian Reform Coalition, Hear Grievances on Customary Land Rights
House leaders received representatives from the National Board of the National Coalition for Agrarian Reform (DPN Knara) and indigenous communities. They voiced grievances to the legislative body regarding land disputes between indigenous communities and corporations.
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Speakers Saan Mustopa and Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal. Also present in the discussion in the Abdul Muis room, parliamentary complex, Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (22/6/2026), were Chair of House Commission IV Titiek Soeharto along with other deputies such as Alex Indra Lukman and Abdul Kharis Almasyhari.
"Of course, we in the DPR want to listen. Let us listen directly, Mrs Titiek," Saan said during the discussion.
A representative of the Suku Anak Dalam from Tanah Menang Hamlet, Bungku Village, Bajubang, Batanghari, Jambi, complained that their settlement area had nearly been wiped out.
"My hamlet settlement existed before the Dutch era. The Dutch, when they bypassed the pipeline road from Palembang to Plaju, acknowledged it; the Dutch letter truly acknowledged the Suku Anak Dalam settlement," said the Customary Chief of Tanah Menang.
"So when the HGU was issued in 86-87, my hamlet settlement was finished. Finished, evicted, annihilated because of the issuance of that HGU permit," he continued.
The Suku Anak Dalam hope their customary land rights will be restored. Moreover, many Suku Anak Dalam still persist there fighting for their rights.
"So my hope to the DPR is to immediately restore what is called rights, customary rights and inheritance rights, and my customary land that I have owned since the time of my ancestors, from the past until now I still persist there. Still persist, so that children drop out of school, 85% of my extended family are illiterate, Sir, illiterate. Cannot read or write," he revealed.
"My hamlet already has its area, Sir, just 1,295 hectares, specifically Tanah Menang Hamlet, Bungku Village, Bajubang District, Batanghari Regency, Jambi Province. I am the customary chief. So I hope the DPR, as the People’s Representative Council, can take a firm policy," he added.
A farmers’ representative from East OKU, South Sumatra, Wayan Kariana, also asked the government to step in and resolve land disputes in the region. Wayan recounted years of conflict with the corporation PT LPI.
"I am a farmer, Sir, specifically in Mulya Jaya and Campang Tiga Ulu villages, in conflict with PT Laju Perdana Indah. It has been decades, Sir, decades, the conflict is never resolved. In fact, the community is pitted against the company’s private security," Wayan said.
Wayan mentioned that his aspirations had previously been conveyed to House Commission II. He also hopes the Cultivation Rights (HGU) of the related corporation will be revoked.
"I once attended a meeting at Commission II of the DPR RI. Here, Sir, there is a decision, there is a director general who also signed it, in my view, the director general is also part of the ministry. This urges, urges ATR/BPN to immediately revoke PT LPI’s HGU, Sir," Wayan stated.
Wayan requested accompaniment on the ground. Additionally, Wayan does not want the community to be pitted against law enforcement officers or fellow civilians.
"Please accompany us on the ground, do not pit us again against officers, whether police, soldiers, especially private security. We will not retreat, Sir, facing private security, but if it is with the police we are afraid because they are state instruments. If it is private security, they are the same, Sir, they are also ordinary humans," he added.