"Clashes that could end up in police intervention should be avoided. It should be deliberated, discussed, and mediated while awaiting a settlement on the land issue," Jokowi stated.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the local communities, regional governments, and companies to avoid clashes over land disputes and to solve them through deliberations.
"Clashes that could end up in police intervention should be avoided. It should be deliberated, discussed, and mediated while awaiting a settlement on the land issue," Jokowi stated while receiving the National Customary Communities Alliance (AMAN) members in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The head of state noted that the government had continued to coordinate with the local governments, both at the provincial and district or municipality levels, for the verification of communal land areas.
The president also suggested that the local communities should coordinate with the local governments over the issuance of licenses to certain parties for the utilization of land.
To help verify land records for customary communities and utilization of land, the president also supported the establishment of a Customary Community Task Force to mediate disputes.
Jokowi was keen to hold routine meetings every three to four months with the local community leaders to evaluate the progress in communal land disputes.
To solve the problems faced by indigenous communities, Jokowi has also suggested that the customary community leaders should communicate directly with the regional government heads at the district and provincial levels.
The president received members of AMAN to hold a discussion on customary communal lands, the establishment of the Customary Community Task Force, and law on customary communities.
Jokowi informed the AMAN members that the law on customary communities to be constituted should be initiated by the House of Representatives.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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