Legislator queries ministry about conversion of plots

JAKARTA (JP): A legislator has questioned the conversion of several plots of land belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture's research agency in Bogor, West Java, from its original function of experimental land-plots into a housing complex.

Imam Churmen, a member of the House of Representatives' Commission IV on agricultural and forestry affairs, said here over the weekend there must be a clear legal basis for such conversion.

"What legal basis was used by the ministry's secretary-general to issue a right to use for the land?" Imam asked.

According to Antara, the land title, which was given to 255 employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, allowed them to build houses within a one-year period on a right-to-use basis.

The document, which was signed by the ministry's secretary- general Soetatwo Hadiwigeno, also stated that the plots of land were initially owned by the ministry's Research Agency for Spices and Medical Crops and used for experimental purposes. The land is located in Bogor's Cimanggu, Cibinong and Citayam districts.

The land title was signed by Soetatwo on March 28, 1994, meaning that the construction of the houses should have been completed by the same date in the following year.

So far, however, the land has been left idle and only two employees have built houses there.

Although the document did not state the total area of the land, an appendix to the document showed that the employees were allocated between 90 and 1,242 square meters each, depending on their positions.

First-echelon staff members, for example, were given between 500 and 1,242 square meters, while second-echelon employees got 300 to 500 square meters.

Antara quoted a source as saying that although the title guarantees the ministry ownership over the land, there is still the possibility of people buying the land altogether.

In previous cases, the source said, ministry employees preferred to buy plots rather than pay for the right to use. Because the land belongs to the state, any change in title should be done with the consent of the Ministry of Finance, the official owner of government properties.

The document signed by Soetatwo, however, did not state how long the land could be used for. A copy of the document was also dispatched to the ministry's internal files.

When asked for confirmation, Soetatwo said he knew of the document but refused to explain.

Imam said he had no objection to the transfer of the land function, but the legal basis must be clear.

He said Soetatwo should openly discuss and explain the issue, so there will be no impression that there has been a "deviation".

Imam also dared Soetatwo to reclaim the titles from the employees who have not yet built their houses. "If not, this might pose problems," he warned. (pwn)