PALMOILMAGAZINE, PEKANBARU — A violent dispute linked to palm oil plantation management under the Kerja Sama Operasi (KSO) scheme in Bengkalis Regency, Riau, has drawn close attention from law enforcement. The conflict—reportedly resulting in casualties—has prompted the Riau Police to propose strategic measures aimed at preventing prolonged and recurring tensions between KSO holders and local farmers.
Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryawan acknowledged that KSO-related conflicts in Bengkalis tend to follow a similar pattern, namely clashes of interest between new KSO recipients and local farmer groups or cooperatives that previously managed the land. Such disputes, he stressed, require long-term solutions that go beyond a purely security-based approach.
“Qualitatively, almost all of these conflicts are the same—friction between KSO recipients and local farmers or former cooperative managers. That is why we have presented on-the-ground facts directly to the President Director of PT Agrinas,” Herry Heryawan said during the Riau Police’s year-end briefing at the Riau Police Headquarters in Pekanbaru on Sunday (28/12/2025).
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These efforts were carried out through intensive meetings between the Riau Police and PT Agrinas management. The discussions were attended by the Director of Intelligence of the Riau Police, Senior Commissioner Wimboko, and the Director of Special Criminal Investigation, Senior Commissioner Ade Kuncoro, as part of a broader attempt to find a more comprehensive and sustainable solution.
Proposal to Establish a Task Force
One of the key proposals put forward by the Riau Police Chief is the establishment of a dedicated task force (Pokja) involving the company, local government, and community representatives. The task force is expected to serve as an open and continuous communication platform for resolving KSO-related issues.
“We shared directly with Agrinas’ president director how to restore the KSO arrangement so it can be properly communicated with the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda). We suggested forming a task force to create a clear and structured dialogue space,” Herry Heryawan said, as quoted by Palmoilmagazine.com from Detik on Monday (29/12/2025).
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According to him, the task force would streamline coordination with Forkopimda and open communication channels with indigenous communities and local farmers who have long felt marginalized. He also emphasized the importance of a persuasive and transparent approach to KSO management to prevent social conflicts from recurring or escalating.
Firm Stance Against Vigilantism
In the same briefing, the two-star general—widely known as Herimen—issued a strong warning to KSO-holding companies against using illegal or informal security services. He stressed that on-site security must be handled exclusively by licensed and authorized security service providers (Badan Usaha Jasa Pengamanan/BUJP).
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“We strongly recommend using officially licensed BUJP. There should be no more interests in hiring thugs, because that will only fuel unrest on the ground,” he said firmly.
Looking ahead, the Riau Police Chief noted that PT Agrinas’ leadership plans to invite Forkopimda members and relevant business actors to sit down together in search of a collective solution. Dialogue with indigenous communities and local farmers will also be prioritized, with the aim of ensuring that palm oil land management can proceed in a more stable, fair, and sustainable manner. (P2)
