House Deputy Speaker Pramono Anung Wibowo who led the plenary session declared the bill passed after suspending the session from 11.30am to 14.00 am to give an opportunity for members to conduct lobbies and Friday prayers.
Representatives from political party factions presented their their views in the second session of the meeting to approve the passage of the bill.
Arief Wibowo from the opposition Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP) said his faction gave the approval in view of its importance.
After all factions expressed their agreement Pramono Anung then banged the gavel to mark the passage of the bill.
At the plenary meeting the head of the National Land Agency (BPN), Joyo Winoto, said after the bill was passed he promised the process of land acquisition for infrastructure projects would be able to be finished maximally within 256 days.
A lot of legislators interrupted the meeting in the first session questioning about a number of articles in the bill.
Finance minister Agus Martowardojo said the new law would smooth infrastructure development in the country to support economic growth to reach up to 7.0 to 7.7 percent by 2014.
"So, we hoped the bill would be passed to provide a clear reference for the government to acquire land at a reasonable price for public interests," he said when met in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Friday.
He said the law could ease development of infrastructures which have so far often been hindered by disagreement over land acquisition between the land owner and the government.
"Our land acquisition law is expected to deal with that. We wish to see a situation like in the big countries where a road or infrastructure project could be immediately carried out without any problems," he said.
He said the government however also hoped that the law also respects the right of the land owner and provides reasonable compensation for the owner in exchange for his willingness to release his right.
He said the law would give certainty with regard to the continuation of the government projects such as toll road development.
"If the law is passed it would be good news for Indonesia as in 2012 our challenges would be heavier," he said.
(T.R024/H-YH/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
