DPD RI Committee I Conducts Working Visit to East Java; Defense Issues Must Be Resolved Through New Defense Law

15 September 2026 oleh admin

Surabaya, dpd.go.id – Committee I of the House of the Regional Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPD RI) conducted a working visit to East Java Province to gather input and complete the Problem Inventory List (DIM) for the draft Land Law (RUU). East Java was chosen because it is the second-largest province on the island of Java, with a high level of diversity and complexity of land issues.

The working visit centered on Monday (September 14) at the East Java Governor's Office. The senators were led by Deputy Chair of Committee I of the Regional Representative Council (DPD RI), Ade Yuliasih, and host Senator Lia Istifhama. The delegation was welcomed by the Regional Secretary of East Java Province, Adhy Karyono.

Also present were several Senators, including Leni Haryati John Latief, Aanya Rina Casmayanti, MZ Amirul Tamim, Ian Ali Baal Masdar, Lamek Dowansiba, Sopater Sam, Penrad Siagian, Ratu Teni Levira, Ismeth Abdullah, Dailami Firdaus, Denti Eka Widi Pratiwi, Arya Wedhakarna, Muh. Riki Farabi, Maria Goreti, Agustin Teras Narang, Muhammad Hidayattollah, Hasan Basri, Bisri As Shiddiq Latuconsina, and Sultan Hidayatullah Sjah II.

The activity was also attended by a number of stakeholders, including elements of the Regional Leadership Communication Forum (Forkopimda), the Head of the Regional Office of the National Land Agency (BPN) of East Java Province and its staff, as well as related regional apparatus.

In his remarks, Deputy Chairperson of Committee I of the DPD RI Ade Yuliasih stated that various land issues in Indonesia, ranging from administrative aspects to issues of authority and relations between the central and regional governments, are important reasons for the need to form a Land Bill.

According to her, land regulations need to be made more integrated and comprehensive so they can serve as a legal framework for resolving various land issues. The Land Bill drafted by Committee I is also expected to complement the principles stipulated in the Basic Agrarian Law.

"The Land Bill is expected to provide legal certainty regarding land ownership, provide protection for indigenous communities, resolve land conflicts, and clarify the authority of the central and regional governments in the land sector," said Ade.

Host Senator Lia Istifhama said the Land Bill is a crucial issue for addressing various land issues, including the increasing number of victims of land mafia. "This meeting is an important momentum to promote the urgency of the Land Bill," she said.

Meanwhile, the Regional Secretary of East Java Province, Adhy Karyono, acknowledged that land issues in East Java are trending high and deeply affect the foundations of people's lives.

"Most of the concrete cases in society are related to land, such as disputes over cultivated land, land acquisition for public purposes, location permits, permits for changes in land function, issues with the OSS system that must comply with the provisions of the Ministry of ATR/BPN, and the issue of compensation or substantial land compensation," said Adhy.

According to Adhy, the number of land conflicts in East Java is relatively high, and not all of them have been resolved. This situation is caused, among other things, by cross-regional conflicts, both between districts and cities, and by overlapping authority between central and regional government agencies.

"Furthermore, existing conflicts are often 'stirred up' through social media, ultimately creating public opinion that isn't necessarily accurate. This must certainly be addressed through legislation," he said.

Adhy also emphasized the importance of clearer regulations regarding the authority and function of the Land Bank in the Land Bill.

The Head of the East Java Province BPN Regional Office, Muhammad Naim, also identified many complex land issues in East Java, both between individuals, individuals and legal entities, individuals and the government, and between legal entities.

According to him, one of the key issues requiring attention in the Land Bill is efforts to regulate land management to eradicate land mafia practices. To date, Naim noted, there is no separate law specifically regulating violations committed by land mafias.

"Therefore, it is hoped that the Land Bill will include a special land court that will handle land issues, including violations committed by land mafia," Naim emphasized. Naim also pushed for the Land Bill to regulate a land registration system that provides stronger legal certainty.

"The Land Law must also include a positive land registration system, as we currently tend to adopt a negative system," he added.

Naim, who took office in June 2026, also highlighted the issue of land management authority, particularly regarding the boundaries of authority between the Ministry of ATR/BPN and the Ministry of Forestry.

"Until now, we're still faced with the issue of who actually manages the land—the Forestry Department or the National Land Agency (BPN). This isn't entirely clear," he said. He also highlighted the high workload of land offices in East Java. He noted that one land office in East Java was handling up to 1,000 land dispute cases.

One of the Senators present, Agustin Teras Narang, said that proper and correct implementation of the Basic Agrarian Law would be an important foundation for realizing agrarian reform through land reform.

However, according to Teras, the DPD RI as a regional representative still sees uncertainty and issues of justice in current land management.

"Even in the implementation of transmigration, there are competing claims of land ownership between immigrants and indigenous communities, and there's even confusion regarding land status, whether it's forested or designated for other uses. So, what about the fairness aspect?" Teras asked.

He appreciated the various inputs submitted at the meeting as important material for Committee I of the DPD RI in drafting the Land Bill.

Meanwhile, Senator Ismeth Abdullah from the Riau Islands highlighted the issue of land acquisition within the National Strategic Project (PSN). He stated that the PSN's existence can still be perceived as a daunting issue for some communities when it comes to land ownership and acquisition.

"The National Strategic Project (PSN) is like a horror story for the community. For example, what happened to the PSN in Rempang. Residents who had lived there for generations for 100 years had to face the planned entry of private investors. Resistance then erupted and sparked conflict," said Ismeth.

Therefore, Ismeth hopes that Committee I of the DPD RI will also obtain an overview of the implementation of the National Strategic Project (PSN) in East Java, including the potential for and potential for land conflicts that may arise, as a reference in drafting the Land Bill.**