Deputy Chairman of Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Sugiat Santoso, stated that the state must be present to provide legal certainty, justice, and protection of community rights in every agrarian conflict resolution.
He made this statement in order to encourage efforts to resolve the long-standing agrarian conflict in Padang Halaban, North Labuhanbatu Regency, North Sumatra. In the area, an 83.26-hectare land dispute exists between a company and residents.
"This is an important step to ensure legal certainty regarding the status of the disputed land and pave the way for a just resolution," Sugiat said in a written statement.
He also wants a comprehensive, peaceful, and just resolution of the Padang Halaban agrarian conflict, and it can serve as an example of agrarian dispute resolution that prioritizes human rights principles.
In resolving the conflict, he said that Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives was also present along with the Ministry of Human Rights, the National Commission on Human Rights, the Ministry of ATR/BPN, the North Sumatra Provincial Government, the North Labuhanbatu Regency Government, representatives of the affected residents, and the company.
He emphasized that Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, together with the Ministry of Human Rights, the National Commission on Human Rights, and the Indonesian Ombudsman, will closely monitor and supervise the entire settlement process until it is complete.
He said the tens of hectares of land must be ensured to be handed over to the residents entitled to it, in accordance with applicable law. This is because the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency has stated that the land is not included in the Land Use Rights area.
"Commission XIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives will continue to monitor this process to ensure that the public's rights are protected and all parties fulfill their commitments in accordance with applicable regulations," he said.
