Indonesia enacts new Agrarian Reform Law

The Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) passed the Agrarian Reform Regulation Bill (RUU PRA) into law on September 22, 2026. The new law aims to shift the paradigm of agrarian reform from simple land redistribution to a broader framework including structural conflict resolution, restitution, empowerment, and the protection of indigenous communities.

While the law is viewed as a milestone, critics have noted the significant authority granted to the National Agrarian Reform Agency (BRAN). There are calls to ensure that the strengthening of BRAN's powers is matched by increased accountability to protect community rights. This is particularly relevant given that the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) received approximately 3,300 complaints regarding agrarian conflicts involving human rights violations between 2020 and 2025.

In conjunction with National Farmers' Day on September 24, 2026, two new movements under the Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA) were declared in Jakarta: the Young Agrarian Reform Fighters Movement (Gemara) and the Preparatory Committee for the Confederation of Women's Agrarian Reform Fighters Unions (SPPRA). Gemara consists of approximately 80% youth directly involved in farming or agrarian conflicts, while SPPRA aims to increase women's representation in decision-making processes within agrarian organizations.