Jokowi Claims Land Certificate Distribution Solutions For Land Dispute Settlement

President Joko Widodo delivered his remarks at the distribution of 3,000 land certificates for residents of Grobogan Regency, Central Java, Tuesday (23/1/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo said the land certificate distribution program, which until 2023 has reached 110 million certificates for the community, is a solution in resolving land disputes. "In the past 2015, every time I went to the village, every time I went to the village, checked the infrastructure, every region wherever I went, in any province, what I heard was land conflicts, land disputes, always like that," said Jokowi when delivering a speech at a land certificate distribution event for 3.000 land certificates for residents in Grobogan Regency, Central Java, Tuesday, January 23. According to the President, the issue of land disputes at the beginning of his reign was due to the limited certificate issued by the National Land Agency (BPN), which at that time could only produce 500 thousand certificates every year. In fact, all land in Indonesia should be issued a total of 126 million certificates. Meanwhile, in 2015, only about 46 million citizens hold certificates so that the government still has "home work" to issue the remaining 80 million certificates. Therefore, the President immediately ordered BPN to increase the issuance of land certificates for the people, which currently has reached more than 10 million certificates per year. "So far, land throughout Indonesia has been certified for about 110 million. Only a little more. My calculations yesterday, if there is no COVID (this year) will be completed in 120 million, but because there is COVID, so back a little to next year," Jokowi said. "The new government will later resolve so that there are no more disputes (day)," the President added.

To the public, President Jokowi explained the importance of certificates as a sign of legal evidence for land owned. In the certificate, it is clearly written that the name of the holder of land rights, land area, and land address is located. "So, if someone comes (claims) 'this is my land', it can be answered with this certificate. The certificate exists. In the past, the court dispute took years of legal lawsuit because (the community) did not hold a certificate, if now we have the evidence of legal rights to the land we have, even though we are cool (when we can calm down)," said President Jokowi.