Transmigration Minister Ensures Muaro Jambi Land Dispute Resolution Proceeds According to Law

The government has begun to pave the way for resolving a land dispute that has entangled the Swakarsa Mandiri Transmigration Area (TSM) SP4 in Gambut Jaya Village, Sungai Gelam District, Muaro Jambi Regency, for nearly 17 years. This step emerged during a Final Case Review Meeting held by the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) together with the Ministry of Transmigration in Jakarta. Minister of Transmigration M. Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara stated that resolving the issue is not merely about the ownership status of land certificates, but also concerns the state’s responsibility in providing legal certainty for the transmigration community. “For nearly 17 years, the transmigration community has been waiting for certainty. The state cannot allow them to continue waiting. Our task is to ensure the community’s rights are protected while maintaining legal certainty,” he said. The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of ATR/BPN Ossy Dermawan, officials from the Ministry of Transmigration, the Muaro Jambi Regency Government, the BPN Regional Office of Jambi Province, the Land Office of Muaro Jambi Regency, and several related agencies. The case review is the final stage of a lengthy process conducted through document research, clarification of the parties, cross-agency coordination, and joint field surveys. Based on the research findings, 67 plots of land were found to be within the transmigration reserve area according to the Jambi Governor’s Decree Number 285 of 1990. Of this number, 50 plots covering approximately 99.48 hectares are recommended for follow-up through legal mechanisms due to administrative defects. Meanwhile, 17 plots covering approximately 24.53 hectares were declared to have no administrative defects and thus retain legal protection. Iftitah emphasised that the transmigration community came to the area as part of a government programme. Therefore, the state has a responsibility to ensure their rights remain protected. “This issue is not merely a dispute between certificate holders and the transmigration community. What is at stake is whether the state continues to respect the decisions it made itself when reserving the area for the transmigration programme,” he said. He affirmed that the government will continue to adhere to the principles of the rule of law. All plots of land were examined objectively based on facts and applicable regulations.