NGOs plan conflict resolution body

JAKARTA: The Consortium for Agrarian Reform called for the government on Monday to set up an agrarian conflict resolution agency.

The agency would be tasked with seeking solutions to the numerous conflicts over land ownership across the country that stemmed from the legal uncertainty and power abuses of the past.

Dianto Bachriadi, chairman of the consortium's executive body, proposed that the agency, when it eventually comes into being, should adopt a "transitional justice" approach -- which was necessary in the time of transition from the New Order to the reform era.

"This agency is necessary for systematic and comprehensive solutions to the numerous land disputes," Dianto said.

The consortium made the statement in conjunction with last week's People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) decree on land reform and natural-resource management requiring a review of all related subordinate laws. --JP