Indonesia officials urge social justice in Agrarian Reform Bill

Indonesian officials are advocating for the Agrarian Reform Regulation Bill to prioritize social justice and public prosperity. Ossy Dermawan, Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, emphasized that the bill should serve as a legally binding instrument for social justice rather than a mere administrative regulation. He proposed strengthening the bill by clarifying the objectives of agrarian reform, regulating land object sources, and ensuring that land distribution is accompanied by access arrangements to prevent recipients from falling back into poverty.

Bob Hasan, Chairman of the Legislative Body (Baleg) of the DPR RI, also stressed that the bill must provide legal certainty and protection for citizens. He highlighted the need to protect those with physical possession of land or those who have purchased it in good faith. Hasan noted that serious issues arise when land with valid ownership certificates is later reclassified as forest areas, arguing that such occurrences must be addressed within the new regulations to protect the rights of the people.