Acting Governor Emphasizes The Importance Of Regional Regulations To Protect Indigenous Lands In Bangka Belitung

Participants take part in the National Seminar on the Protection of State Law on the Right to Indigenous Land of Malay Communities in Pangkalpinang, Tuesday (26/9/2023). (ANTARA/HO-Aprionist)

BABEL - Acting (Pj) Governor of the Bangka Belitung Islands (Babel) Suganda Pandapotan Pasaribu said that local regulations (perda) are needed to protect customary land so that investment is in line with regulations that do not harm the community.

"With this regulation, of course, the public will be protected and investment will be well maintained," said Suganda Pandapotan Pasaribu when opening the National Seminar on the Protection of State Law on the Rights of the Malay People's Traditional Land in Pangkalpinang, Tuesday.

He appreciated Muhammadiyah University, Babel Islands Province, which held a national seminar with the theme "State Law Protection on the Rights of Malay Community Indigenous Lands" because it was very positive and educated local government officials in protecting traditional land, villages and communities in this Serumpun Sebalai Country.

"With this national seminar, of course, we can see the treatment and solutions of problems from community lands, customs and villages in this area," he said.

He offered regulations in the form of regional regulations, deed and determination in overcoming various problems of customary land, villages and communities.

"We will see what it looks like and hopefully with this seminar it can produce the best solution for the people of this area," he said.

The Chancellor of the University of Muhammadiyah, Babel Islands, Ir. Fadillah Sabri, ST, M.Eng said that this seminar was a contribution from Muhammadiyah University to find solutions to customary land problems in Indonesia, especially Babel.

"So far, many people have talked about this customary land issue on social media, but there is no formulation to solve the problem," he said.

He stated that this national seminar was attended by all regional heads throughout the Babel Islands, village heads, traditional Malay institutions and the community as a form of education, enlightenment in protecting this traditional land.

"Alhamdulillah, the national seminar was attended by land experts and it is hoped that this seminar can lead to regulations to protect customary land from investments that harm the community," he said.