Indonesia Agrarian Reform Bill development

Indonesian officials and legislators are advocating for the Agrarian Reform Regulation Bill to prioritize social justice and public prosperity. Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning Ossy Dermawan has proposed that the bill serve as a legally binding instrument to clarify reform objectives and ensure land distribution includes access arrangements to prevent poverty. Additionally, Bob Hasan, Chairman of the Legislative Body of the DPR RI, emphasized the need for legal certainty to protect citizens who possess land in good faith, particularly when valid ownership certificates are reclassified as forest areas.

Following these discussions, the House of Representatives officially included the Agrarian Reform Bill in the 2026 Priority National Legislation Program. The initiative seeks to resolve structural land conflicts caused by overlapping forestry and agrarian laws. While the Agrarian Reform Consortium noted the bill's inclusion as a positive step for farmers, civil society organizations have urged that the legislation focus on land redistribution to correct ownership inequalities rather than just land certification.

Lestari Moerdijat, Vice Chair of the MPR RI, has reinforced this call, noting that while millions of certificates have been issued, land redistribution from forest areas has only reached 9.26% of the national target. She expressed concern regarding the rise in violence and criminalization linked to agrarian conflicts. Furthermore, Yayan Hidayat of the Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN) urged the bill to focus on the recognition, restitution, and return of customary indigenous territories, arguing that success must involve changing power dynamics between the state, corporations, and local communities.

Active disputes persist, including a decade-long conflict in Southeast Sulawesi involving 105 hectares and concerns regarding indigenous community rights in East Kalimantan.