Breaking Riots In Padang Ratu Lampung, Mes Employees Of Sawit Village Fired Mass 5 Villages

Mes, an oil palm plantation company, PT. Gunung Aji Jaya, was burned by a mob from 5 villages in Lampung. (Between)

The riots broke out in Padang Ratu Lampung and spread during the burning of an employee of the oil palm plantation company PT. Gunung Aji Jaya. The incident was triggered by a land problem with cultivation rights (HGU).

Central Lampung Police Chief AKBP Doffie Fahlevi Sanjaya explained that the people in five villages demanded land return. They assess that the land used by PT. Gunung Aji Jaya has been out of HGU since 2015.

"Due to this problem, a group of people from five villages in Pubian District, Central Lampung, went berserk and burned employees in three different locations and two cars belonging to PT Gunung Aji Jaya (GAJ)," he said, Sunday, November 20, quoted from Antara.

The five villages in question are Gunung Aji Village, Gunung Raya, Negri Ratu, and Negri Kepayungan, and Pubian District.

In addition to burning a number of company-owned equipment, Doffie said the crowd almost burned and judged local residents who were employees of PT Gunung Aji Jaya on Saturday, November 19.

"On the alertness of the officers, the residents who were allegedly employees of PT Gunung Aji were successfully evacuated to the Central Lampung Police," he said.

Doffie said, judging from administrative evidence, the oil palm plantation land disputed by the residents in Gunung Haji Village, Pubian District, still belongs to PT Gunung Aji Jaya.

"Legally speaking, the land still belongs to PT. Gunung Aji Jaya, the HGU has been extended from 2016 to 2040 with an area of 493.63 ha with as many as 10 certificates," he said.

Doffie emphasized that the Central Lampung Police had made various efforts to map and detect problems that arose due to the incident.

He said the police had invited companies, community leaders, and parties who had disputes to consult.

"The Central Lampung Police Sat Binmas has conducted education and outreach to residents and encouraged community, religious and local government leaders to provide understanding of the legality of the company and appeals not to take unlawful acts," he said.

He said his party together with the Regent of Central Lampung had made mediation efforts and provided education to community representatives about the status of the HGU.

"The HGU has been extended and valid until 2040, for that we urge the public not to take actions outside the rules or violate the law," he said.