Ministry of Agraria and Land Affairs Partners with National Archives to Restore Land Documents at Severely Damaged Aceh Tamiang Land Office

JAKARTA – The Ministry of Agraria and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) has ensured that land administration services in disaster-affected areas continue to function normally.

However, the Aceh Tamiang Land Office (Kantah) reportedly sustained the most severe damage compared to other regions.

“Indeed, Aceh Tamiang suffered the most serious damage; other areas remain relatively functional and are now operating well,” stated Ossy when met at his office in South Jakarta on Thursday (26 February 2026).

Ossy explained that in the post-disaster situation, the ministry understood public concerns regarding the security of land documents. Nevertheless, the Ministry of ATR/BPN is working to ensure that damaged documents can be recovered promptly.

“Overall, there is no massively affected land administration service there. All services can continue to operate; it is simply a matter of understanding the psychological state of communities that have just experienced disaster, which naturally requires special attention and care – something we are providing in disaster-affected areas, particularly for residents,” he said.

On this occasion, Ossy also discussed the status of girik as a land document. He stressed that girik is no longer recognised as formal proof of land ownership, but retains its function as a supplementary document.

“However, girik still functions as a supplementary document or provider of legal certainty for communities. This does not mean it is being abolished altogether,” he stated.

Nevertheless, the government is encouraging residents to promptly convert girik into land certificates to obtain state-registered and state-certified legal certainty.

“This is a natural occurrence and need not cause excessive concern among the public, because girik can still serve as evidence of land ownership for communities,” said Ossy.