Understanding the Principle of Mutual Agreement in Land Boundary Delimitation

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Land boundary disputes remain common across regions due to unclear initial demarcation. To prevent such issues, land surveying and registration must involve directly adjacent parties through the application of the Principle of Mutual Agreement in Boundary Delimitation.

Agus Apriawan, Director of Thematic Surveying and Mapping at the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), stated: ‘The Principle of Mutual Agreement in Boundary Delimitation is a principle in land boundary determination based on agreement between directly adjacent parties,’ as reported on the ATR/BPN website on Friday (29 May 2026).

In practice, landowners and neighbours indicate and agree on boundary locations, which serve as the basis for surveyors during field measurements. This principle is essential for maintaining orderly land administration and minimising potential disputes.

The principle is fundamental in land surveying activities. Under the Principle of Mutual Agreement in Boundary Delimitation, landowners and adjacent neighbours directly indicate and agree on boundaries, which then serve as the basis for surveyors to conduct measurements on-site.

‘Agreement between parties is the basis for surveyors to measure land boundaries in the field,’ Agus explained.

During field operations, the presence of adjacent landowners during surveying is strongly recommended to ensure transparent boundary marking known to all stakeholders. This allows any objections or disagreements to be addressed immediately.

‘If objections remain, the principle of mutual agreement has not been met as this principle is about agreement. If no agreement is reached, surveyors can assist in mediating the parties regarding land boundaries,’ he added.

According to Agus, communication between landowners is crucial to ensure boundary agreement and prevent future disputes.

‘To support the application of the Principle of Mutual Agreement in Boundary Delimitation, the public also has a duty to maintain clear boundaries. Landowners and adjacent parties must first agree on boundaries, then clearly mark them with stakes or markers, and maintain them,’ he concluded.