Ministry Of ATR Allocates 8 Thousand Hectares Of Land For Ex-GAM Combatants

BANDA ACEH - The Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) immediately allocated an area of 8,000 hectares (Ha) to be given to 4,000 former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) combatants and victims of the previous Aceh conflict.

"There is no problem with land for former combatants in Aceh. By 2022, the government will allocate an area of approximately 8,000 hectares", said the Special Staff and Spokesperson for the Ministry of ATR/BPN, Teuku Taufiqulhadi, in Banda Aceh, quoted by Antara on Thursday, February 17.

Taufiq said the 8,000-hectare land was planned to be distributed to 4,000 former combatants, former Conscience Prisoner (Tapol) and Political Prisoners (Napol) as well as the victims of the Aceh conflict.

"We want to emphasize that the government is always committed to the agreement made between the Government and the people of Aceh", he said.

Taufiq emphasized that the government has committed to be able to implement as soon as possible the plan for the distribution of the ex-combatants land.

So far, continued Taufiq, his party is also investigating carefully who the prospective land recipients will be so that problems do not arise in the future.

"We are looking for the right recipient so that there are no doubts and protests from various parties that the recipient is not on target", said Taufiqulhadi.

To note, so far the Aceh Government through the Aceh Reintegration Agency (BRA) has carried out certification of 3,575 hectares of agricultural land for former Free Aceh Movement (GAM) combatants, Tapol/Napols, and victims of the Aceh conflict.

The 3,575 hectares of agricultural land are spread over several areas, namely North Aceh, East Aceh, and Pidie Jaya districts, and will continue to grow.

BRA has also written to Regents/Mayors throughout Aceh to immediately resolve the points in the Helsinki MoU, including the issue of agricultural land in question.