New Chapter in Tanah Abang Land Dispute: Hercules Faction Sues KAI
The Tanah Abang land dispute in Central Jakarta has entered a new phase. A resident claiming to be an heir to the land has filed a lawsuit against several state institutions, from PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) to the National Land Agency (BPN), at the Central Jakarta District Court.
The land in question was previously recorded with the BPN as an asset of PT KAI and was planned to be utilised by the government for the construction of subsidised rental housing (rusun).
However, Sulaeman Effendi, who claims to be the heir, states that the land is part of his family’s inheritance. In the legal proceedings, he is accompanied by Rosaria de Marshall alias Hercules, along with the Legal and Advocacy Team of the DPP GRIB Jaya.
The first hearing is scheduled for Monday (27/4/2026).
In this case, several parties are named as defendants, including PT KAI through DAOP 1 Jakarta, BPN officials up to the Central Jakarta Land Office, the Indonesian National Police through Metro Jaya Police and Ditreskrimum Subdit II Harda.
Other defendants include the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, encompassing the sub-district heads of Kebon Kacang and Kebon Melati, the Governor of DKI Jakarta, and the Minister of Transportation.
Previously, Wilson Collin, Deputy Head of Legal and Advocacy of GRIB Jaya and counsel for the heir, denied allegations that his side was occupying the land illegally.
“The director (KAI President Director Bobby Rasyidin) also said that the illegal occupiers are mass organisations; this is not occupation because the heir has a reason,” said Wilson, quoted from the GRIB TV YouTube broadcast.
“It has never been released; if it had been released, we would be squatting. Now there has been no sale and purchase transaction, so how can it be squatting,” Wilson added.
The Eigendom held by the heir is recorded in the name of Ilias Rajo Mentari. The land ownership document was issued in 1923 with Eigendom Verponding Number 946.
Eigendom Verponding is an absolute ownership right over land originating from the Dutch colonial era, serving as proof of ownership and land tax obligations.
During the colonial period, Eigendom was strong evidence of land ownership. However, after Indonesia’s independence, especially following the enactment of Agrarian Law Number 5 of 1960, Eigendom Verponding no longer constitutes valid national proof of ownership rights.
Under Indonesian law (UUPA 1960), this right must be converted into a Certificate of Ownership (SHM) or other form of ownership through the BPN, as it is now only considered preliminary proof of ownership.
“Therefore, I emphasise that if they want to settle it, do so through civil proceedings. We have already pursued it civilly because there are tendencies to blow it up as if we are occupying,” said Wilson.