I urge that the settlement of land rights in border areas, such as the legalization of assets in the 111 outermost small islands, must be our common concern.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin urged that land rights settlement at the border be a common concern to uphold the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia and avoid conflicts with other countries.

The vice president conveyed the statement in his online directive at the closing of the Agrarian Reform Task Force (GTRA) Summit from here on Thursday night.

"I urge that the settlement of land rights in border areas, such as the legalization of assets in the 111 outermost small islands, must be our common concern. Legalization of assets is very important to uphold the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia and avoid conflicts related to the legal status of the country's territory with other countries," the vice president stated.


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Amin emphasized that the arrangement of assets and access in coastal areas as well as remote and disadvantaged areas requires commitment, among others, by providing legal certainty of land rights.

According to the vice president, the settlement of land rights in border areas will facilitate to revive them as the homeland of Indonesia and the geographic core of a growing economy that will in turn improve the people's welfare.

"The GTRA summit in Wakatobi District, Southeast Sulawesi, is expected to be a model or pilot for solving agrarian problems for communities in coastal areas in an integrated manner. This meeting should also be able to accelerate the implementation of the Agrarian Reform Program for the welfare of all people," the vice president stated.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD earlier reaffirmed his commitment to addressing land mafia issues by setting up a cross-institutional team, with members including those from the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

"We will address the land mafia issues, and we have agreed to set up a cross-institutional team, which includes (members from) the KPK, to conduct the procedure and assessment (for the cases)," Mahfud stated at the Presidential Palace here on Monday.


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He also affirmed that the government and law enforcers will take legal action against anyone involved in land mafia crimes.

"We will be firm if any criminal indication is detected, as we will work from bottom to top. The Attorney General's Office will take firm measures to investigate (the cases), and we will continue seeking justice at the civil court even after the criminal court verdict has legal force," the coordinating minister stated.

Land mafias have illegally seized land plots legally owned by individuals and the government, Mahfud stated while adding that the government also understood that in some cases, land mafias somehow won the court case brought up by the rightful owners to reclaim their land.

"The landowner never sells his or her land, and somehow, the land is already in the other person's name. When they question (the issue), (the mafia) told them to settle the dispute in the court, yet when they fight (for their land plot) in the court, they lost the case. This often occurs," he remarked.


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Translator: Rangga P, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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