Many fake land deeds revoked

JAKARTA (JP): The chief of the Jakarta Land Agency, Sunar, announced yesterday that his office has revoked hundreds of fake land certificates.

"I can't remember the exact number, but we've nullified hundreds of bogus certificates," Sunar said.

He explained that his agency had received a number of complaints and reports about bogus certificates, which it followed up with field investigations that confirmed their existence.

Speaking after inducting 16 newly appointed civil servants and public notaries authorized to issue land certificates, Sunar told them to carry out their duties responsibly and in a highly professional manner.

"If you make errors, whether deliberate or not, you can be sued or tried for a criminal offense," he warned.

The development activities in Jakarta and its surrounding areas have caused land to become a prime commodity with a continually escalating value.

As land becomes a rare and priceless economic commodity, some people are driven to commit illicit acts, such as falsifying land certificates.

Under Article 19 of Regulation No. 10/1961, any transfer of land ownership, new use of land, or mortgaging of property, must be documented by a certificate issued by a civil servant especially authorized to do so.

These civil servants are notaries public, or district chiefs, who are appointed by the central government to issue land certificates.

Sunar said that because of their huge responsibility, the newly appointed officials must have an in-depth understanding of the various land regulations.

"The officials should create a condition in which people feel secure when transferring land titles, or purchasing property, by providing speedy, inexpensive and friendly processing of land certificates," he said.

As of July 1992, registrants applying for land transfer, or ownership certificates, have had to pay levies of 0.25 percent of the value of the property as stipulated in their documents. (mds)