Land Ownership Dispute in Muara Bulian Resolved Through Peaceful Settlement
A prolonged dispute over land ownership in Rengas Condong Village, Muara Bulian District, Batanghari Regency, has reached a favourable resolution. The Panel of Judges at Muara Bulian District Court approved a mediated settlement agreement on Thursday, 12 March 2026, confirming that the 1,283 square-metre plot is the legitimate property of the claimant, Muhammad Fadil Arief.
The decision was reached following mediation between the claimant, Muhammad Fadil Arief, and three defendants: the Secretary of Batanghari Regency, the Regional Financial and Revenue Management Agency (BPKPD) of Batanghari, and the Batanghari Regional Inspectorate. The mediation process was facilitated by a judicial mediator from Muara Bulian District Court.
The claimant’s legal counsel, Vernandus, explained that all parties agreed to settle the case peacefully through a settlement agreement, which was subsequently ratified by the court through a deed of settlement.
“Based on the mediation results, all parties agreed to resolve the case peacefully, as documented in the settlement agreement and subsequently ratified by the court through the deed of settlement,” Vernandus stated.
He added that the settlement contained two key points. First, the Property Rights Certificate (SHM) in the claimant’s name is not an asset or Regional Property (BMD) belonging to the Batanghari Regency Government. Second, the regional government has never recorded the land in the Inventory Card (KIB).
According to Vernandus, the settlement was based on administrative tracing and verification conducted by the regional government. The verification found no valid documents demonstrating that the land was ever acquired or recorded as a regional government asset.
Previously, allegations of asset transfer by Batanghari Regency Government surfaced following the 2020 regional elections. The allegations referred to the 2021 Report of Examination Results from the State Audit Board, which referenced a photocopied Mayoral Decree Number 799 of 2012 concerning permission to occupy or use regional government property, whose authenticity was questioned.
The matter was even reported by several community members to the Indonesian National Police Headquarters in 2023. However, the report was not pursued after being assessed as lacking sufficient evidence, and was ultimately terminated through the issuance of an Investigation Discontinuation Order (SP3).
With the peaceful settlement agreement now ratified by the court, the claimant hopes that the controversy that has circulated within the community will finally end.
“Everything is now clear. Our client’s land is not a Batanghari Regional Government asset. Our hope is that the public controversy can come to an end,” Vernandus said.