Papua Barat Governor: Agrarian Reform Must Respect Customary Land Rights

Manokwari (ANTARA) - Papua Barat Governor Dominggus Mandacan has emphasised that the implementation of agrarian reform must respect the rights of indigenous communities, whilst providing legal certainty to prevent land disputes that often hamper development programmes. “The implementation of agrarian reform requires a special approach that respects customary land rights without ignoring national legal provisions,” Dominggus said during the opening of the initial coordination meeting of the Papua Barat Agrarian Reform Task Force in Manokwari on Thursday. He stated that a special approach is necessary because indigenous Papuans view land not merely as an economic asset, but as identity, a source of life, and an ancestral heritage that must be preserved for generations. The provisions for agrarian reform are regulated in Presidential Regulation Number 62 of 2023, which emphasises asset management through certification and access management through infrastructure support, capital, technology, markets, and community assistance. “We have formed the Agrarian Reform Task Force through the Governor of Papua Barat Decree Number 77 of 2026 as a cross-regional apparatus coordination platform,” he said. The governor then highlighted the many land issues in Papua Barat, particularly in Manokwari, triggered by the emergence of new claims over land previously released by customary rights holders to the government or other parties. “It has already been paid for, but then a new group emerges claiming they are the owners. As a result, the government has to pay repeatedly. This situation must not continue,” Dominggus said. He expressed hope that the initial coordination meeting of the task force would serve as a forum to identify land issues and formulate measurable solutions, so that the implementation of agrarian reform can support the acceleration of development in the Papua Barat region. The task force can also form a special team to trace customary release documents, so that every certified plot has clear evidence, allowing customary law recognition to go hand in hand with state recognition of land ownership. “The implementation of agrarian reform must also boost economic growth and realise a Papua Barat that is safe, advanced, independent, and prosperous,” Dominggus said. The governor urged all parties in Papua Barat to support land acquisition for government development programmes and other public interests by prioritising consultation with customary rights holders. “Our elders accepted development. They gave land for government facilities and other public interests because they wanted this region to progress,” Dominggus said. Head of the Papua Barat Regional Office of the National Land Agency, Keliopas Fenitiruma, explained that the initial coordination meeting of the Agrarian Reform Task Force aimed to integrate data with regional apparatuses and other relevant agencies. He said that agrarian reform activities are not solely about legalising or certifying land rights, but also facilitating expanded access to capital through economic institutions so that land utilisation has an impact on community welfare. “That is the true essence of implementing agrarian reform,” Keliopas said. He mentioned that there are several crucial issues that must be discussed and reviewed together at the initial coordination meeting, including settlement locations within forest areas and the resolution of asset management for the South Manokwari Regency government. Through the task force, local governments must pay attention to three important indicators in implementing agrarian reform activities: the one map policy, the one spatial plan policy, and the one regulation policy.