Tanah Abang Land Dispute Heats Up as Heirs Partner with GRIB Hercules to Sue Minister, Governor, and Police
Sulaeman Effendi has filed a civil lawsuit at the Central Jakarta District Court regarding claims of ownership over land in the Tanah Abang demolition area by the government, on Wednesday (8/11/2026).
The defendants include PT Kereta Api, the Minister of Transportation, the National Land Agency (BPN), the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government, the Governor of DKI Jakarta, and Metro Jaya Police.
Sulaeman has appointed the advocacy team from Gerakan Rakyat Indonesia Bersatu (GRIB) Jaya to fight for ownership rights over the land.
The Head of the GRIB Jaya Legal Team, Wilson Colling, stated that the lawsuit was filed due to differing ownership claims between his client and the government.
“On Wednesday, I registered the lawsuit for unlawful acts. The defendants are PT Kereta Api, the Minister of Transportation, BPN, (provincial government) DKI Jakarta, the Governor, because he issued the decision letter (on land ownership),” he continued.
This relates to the summons issued to Sulaeman Effendi by investigators.
Wilson explained that the summons to Sulaeman originated from a report by PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) to Metro Jaya Police on 5 June 2025.
Based on that report, on 10 March 2026, Sulaeman received a second summons as a witness to be examined on 16 March 2026 regarding alleged violations of Articles 167 and 385, 257, 502 of the Criminal Code.
The land in question spans approximately 34,690 square metres and is located in the former demolition area, covering the Kebon Kacang and Kebon Melati sub-districts, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.
Wilson stated that his client holds proof of ownership in the form of Eigendom Verponding Number 946 from 1923 in the name of Iljas Radjo Mentari.
“Sulaeman Effendi is the legitimate heir who still holds the original ownership documents that have been in place for over a century,” Wilson added.
He emphasised that the document carries significant legal weight because there has never been any legal process of rights relinquishment or compensation to the previous owner.
Therefore, the claim that the land is a state asset is deemed to lack strong legal basis.