JAKARTA - The long dispute involving the management and alleged possession of assets of the Arya Satya Chess Foundation, belonging to Buddhists in Jelutung Village, Pemangkat District, Sambas Regency, West Kalimantan, finally arrived at the table of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).
The problem, which has been rolling since 2020, is felt to have not found an end to the settlement through the usual legal channels, until finally encouraging Buddhists to bring their aspirations to the national level on Friday (22/5), in Jakarta.
Through a legal team consisting of Raka Dwi Permana, Arry Sakurianto, and Agustini Rotikan, representatives of Buddhists officially submitted complaints and complaints related to the process of handling cases which were considered slow, uncertain, and had not provided justice for them.
Raka Dwi Permana, as a lawyer, explained in detail the root of the problem which started from the internal dispute over the management of the foundation.
Raka explained that the beginning of this conflict centered on the refusal of the previous foundation's management to hand over important documents in the form of authentic deeds to the new management team which had been elected through a legal and legally recognized mechanism.
The issue, which initially seemed simple as a management dispute, slowly widened and turned into a strong suspicion of an attempt to seize valuable assets belonging to the foundation.
"Initially it was only a conflict of management. The old manager did not want to hand over official documents to the legitimate manager. Gradually, this developed into an alleged attempt to take over the foundation's assets," said Raka after meeting with Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the National Awakening Party (PKB) Faction, Abdullah.
According to Raka, the situation is getting more complicated when in the middle of the dispute, a new foundation emerged using the same name, namely the Catur Arya Satyani Foundation. He assessed that this new foundation is known to have extended the right of use over assets that are actually the responsibility and property of the old foundation.
This, continued Raka, is considered very detrimental considering the Arya Satya Chess Foundation is the manager of the Sip Fuk Thong Buddhist Temple Vihara, a place of worship that holds a long and valuable history.
This building is estimated to have stood since 1803, founded directly by monks and nuns, and has been a silent witness to the history and religious life of Buddhists in the Sambas region.
"This is an invaluable historical heritage and should not be forgotten. The great hope of Buddhists is only one, namely that the assets belonging to this foundation can be returned in full and managed again by Buddhists as before, for the continuity of worship and preservation of history," said Raka.
This protracted conflict for years has had a real and serious impact on the religious life of the local people. Although they still try to maintain worship activities at the monastery, they have to fight against various difficulties, especially in terms of operational financing. The source of income, which usually comes from donations from the people, is very limited, while the assets that should support the sustainability of the foundation are under the control of other parties.
"Because the assets are controlled by other parties, we have great difficulty in financing worship activities. All needs are very limited and difficult to meet," he added.
The foundation and the people have actually taken various legal steps, both through civil and criminal channels. Official reports have been submitted to the West Kalimantan High Prosecutor's Office and the West Kalimantan Regional Police. In the civil sphere, the legitimate management has even won a lawsuit and the court's decision has become a permanent legal force or inkrah. However, for the criminal sphere related to the alleged possession of land and assets, the process feels very slow and has not provided satisfactory results.
"We have processed the law in the Attorney General's Office and the West Kalimantan Police, but everything is very slow and there is no clear legal certainty for us," said Raka.
Seeing the impasse, the foundation then sought support through the Interfaith Brotherhood Agency (BERANI), an organization of the PKB wing headed by Reverend Lorens Manuputty. Through communication and direction from this organization, they were then advised to convey their aspirations to Commission VIII of the DPR RI, before finally this issue was transferred to Commission III of the DPR RI considering its close relationship with the aspect of law enforcement.
The delegation of foundation representatives was received directly by the Chairman of Commission VIII of the DPR RI, Marwan Dasopang, who then suggested that this matter be handled by Commission III as a working partner of law enforcement.
Responding to the length of this series of problems, Member of Commission III of the Indonesian House of Representatives, PKB Faction, Abdullah, expressed deep concern. He realized how important the existence of the monastery as part of a cultural and historical heritage that has been around for hundreds of years.
"We hear clearly that there is a conflict of ownership, there are civil cases that have been won and inkrah, but the legal aspect regarding land ownership is still not complete and is ongoing in place," said Abdullah.
Abdullah explained that his party from the PKB Faction would first study in depth all legal documents and evidence that had been submitted by the Buddhist community. After understanding the case, his party plans to ask for an official clarification from law enforcement officials in the area.
"We will first study all the indications carefully. If there are indications of negligence, handling of this case, we will definitely ask our partners, namely the Regional Police Chief of West Kalimantan and the Head of the High Prosecutor's Office of West Kalimantan," he said.
Abdullah also emphasized the importance of quick and appropriate handling to prevent wider impacts. He is concerned that if this conflict continues to be allowed to drag on, it could trigger friction in the form of Sub-Ethnic, Religion, Race, and Inter-Class (SARA) which is very dangerous for community unity.
The next step prepared by the PKB Faction is to send an official letter to the Head of the National Police and the Head of the National Police Headquarters regarding the handling of the case.
Abdullah did not rule out the possibility that if through a written letter and explanation no light or satisfactory solution is found, then this issue will be brought to the Hearing Meeting (RDP) forum. In this forum, all parties involved, both from the foundation, law enforcement, and parties in dispute, will be present to hear the testimony directly.
"If there is no meeting point and it is not clear how to resolve it, there is a high possibility that we will discuss this issue in the RDP. We will bring all parties involved so that this problem can be revealed and the best way out can be found for justice," concluded Abdullah.
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