Clash Of Land Disputes In Pacoran, Ombudsman: Pertamina Don't Use Violent Power!

Pertamina Building. (Irfan Meidianto/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Jakarta Raya Ombudsman criticized the attitude of state-owned Pertamina in dealing with land disputes that led to clashes with residents of Pancoran, South Jakarta.

The clash took place on Wednesday, 17 March. Residents who were accompanied by the Pancoran United Solidarity Forum were attacked by the Pemuda Pancasila mass organization group known to be on the side of PT. Pertamina.

The Head of the Jakarta Raya Ombudsman Representative, Teguh Nugroho, asked Pertamina not to use mass organizations to deal with residents by applying acts of violence.

"If the objective is security, Pertamina should refer to the main duties and functions of the National Police, one of which is the maintenance of security and public order and not using mass organizations that have absolutely no discretion to carry out security measures, especially with violence," Teguh told reporters, Saturday, March 20.

Teguh said Pertamina had to explain their purpose of using mass organizations in securing their assets.

Teguh also asked the SOE Ministry to explore the relationship between Pertamina and the mass organization. Including, how the cooperation is carried out and the source of funding.

"This is to ensure that the budgets of State-Owned Enterprises used for security can be accounted for and do not trigger horizontal conflicts," Teguh said.

In fact, said Teguh, Pertamina could ask the police for assistance in securing their vital assets. This is contained in Government Regulation Number 76 of 2020 concerning the Types and Rates of PNBP.

"Assistance in safeguarding vital objects by the Police of course also does not necessarily make the Police have the right to immediately use violence even though it has the discretion to do so but prefers a persuasive approach, and National Police clearly has not only authority but also competence compared to mass organizations," he explained.

Previously, the clash took place at Pancoran Buntu, the Pasar Minggu route on Wednesday, March 17. The residents of Pancoran Buntu II were attacked by a mass organization known to be on the side of PT. Pertamina.

The incident caused a number of people to be injured. Reportedly, the clash involved residents who were accompanied by the Pancoran United Solidarity Forum with mass organizations. This clash also occurred on 24 February.

This incident is related to a land dispute case. The problems started in July 2020.

At that time, the residents of Buntu II Alley were forcibly evicted by PT. Pertamina Persero. Residents were forced to move out of the 4.8-hectare land, which has been inhabited by 2,000 people since 20 years ago. However, PT. Pertamina claimed the land belonged to them.

For the residents, the eviction was flawed in legal procedures. Residents do not accept being evicted from the land that is still in dispute.

They know very well that evictions cannot be carried out before a court decision is made. In addition, residents also reported a lot of intimidation and terror they experienced.