The Ministry of Home Affairs Emphasizes that the Land Conflict in East Flores is Not Related to the Red and White Cooperative

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Cooperatives (Kemenkop) emphasized that the conflict that occurred due to land disputes involving two villages in East Adonara District, East Flores Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), was not related to the development of the Red and White Cooperative.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperatives (Seskemenkop), Ahmad Zabadi, emphasized that the conflict between Waiburak village and Narasaosina village was a land ulayat problem.

"It needs to be emphasized that the conflict that occurred was not related to the Red and White Village Cooperative program. The conflict is an old conflict between residents between Waiburak Village and Narasaosina Village which was triggered by a dispute over customary land and has been going on for generations," said Ahmad in a press conference at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Wednesday, March 25.

He added that previously his party had observed reports on social media that linked the conflict in East Adonara District with the development of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative.

For this reason, he emphasized that until now there has been no development of the Red and White Village Cooperative at the location.

Ahmad added that in every cooperative development program, the government will only use land with a clean and clear status, not in a state of dispute.

"The government will not and has never used problematic or conflict-ridden land for the development of strategic programs," explained Ahmad.

The NTT Provincial Government, continued Ahmad, together with Forkopimda has directly descended to the location to carry out handling and coordination.

The efforts undertaken include mediation between the parties in conflict, approaches through customary figures, community figures, and local governments as well as security by the TNI and Polri to prevent subsequent conflicts.

"The current conditions are relatively conducive but there is still tension, so security and mediation processes continue," added Ahmad.

He also appealed to the public not to be provoked by incorrect information and not to associate conflicts with government programs without a clear basis.

"The government is committed to resolving the conflict peacefully, fairly, and sustainably," said Ahmad.