Agrarian Conflict Of Palm Oil Plantation Infects Victims In Central Kalimantan, SPKS Condemns Official Repressive Action

JAKARTA - Residents of Bangkal Village, Saruyan Regency, Central Kalimantan (Kalteng) became victims of an agrarian conflict in the oil palm plantation sector, on Saturday 7 October. The victim even received repressive treatment from the authorities while securing the action against PT Hamparan Masawit Bangun Persada (HMBP).

The repressive action caused one resident to die as a result of being shot by live ammunition and water gas by the authorities. There were also two other residents who were critical and dozens of other residents were arrested.

The action carried out by residents of Bangkal Village was not without basis. They demand their right to 20 percent land which has not been realized by PT HMBP. In fact, the protests carried out by the community have been going on since 2008.

Secretary General of the National Oil Palm Farmers Union (SPKS), Sabarudin assessed that the non-compliance of palm oil companies against the obligation to build community gardens covering an area of 20 percent almost occurred in all oil palm development areas in Indonesia. This triggered a conflict between companies and local residents. His party also condemned the brutal and repressive actions of the police in handling social conflicts and peaceful actions carried out by residents of Bangkal Village, Seruyan Regency, Central Kalimantan. SabaRUdin was surprised, the actions of residents were responded to by arrests and shootings to the point of massive casualties.

"The National Police Chief must be responsible for the casualties of residents, as well as thoroughly investigate procedural violations and forms of repressive handling of police officers in Seruyan Regency, as well as take firm legal action and remove the police chief, police chief and/or regional police chief who is behind violence in handling agrarian conflicts," said SabaRUdin in a press release in Jakarta, quoted Tuesday, October 10.

SPKS also urged the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to order the Central Kalimantan Police Chief Inspector General Anang Avianto to withdraw all police officers from the conflict area. Sabarudin also asked the National Police Headquarters to investigate and take firm action against officers who committed acts of violence in handling the PT HMBP demonstration.

"We also urge the National Police Chief to order the Seruyan Police Chief to immediately release all residents who were arrested or detained by the authorities during a peaceful demonstration demanding their land rights to PT Hamparan Masawit Bangun Persada," said Sabarangudin.

His party also encouraged Komnas HAM to form an Independent Fact Finding Team to investigate alleged human rights violations in acts of violence in Bangkal Village. Sabarudin also wants the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government and the Seruyan Regency Government, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of ATR/BPB, and the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy to be responsible for resolving the conflict immediately.