PALMOILMAGAZINE, PASER — PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) IV Regional V, through its Tabara Estate Unit, has addressed allegations of criminalizing local residents in Paser, East Kalimantan, who claim ancestral ownership over plantation land. The company asserts that all legal actions taken are solely intended to protect state-owned assets and are fully in line with prevailing laws and regulations.
The issue began gaining attention in April 2025, when members of a local non-governmental organization (NGO), Awa Kain Naket Bolum, claimed that several plantation areas in the villages of Lembok, Pait, Sawit Jaya, and Pasir Mayang were ancestral lands. They demanded a halt to plantation operations.
“They claim the land is part of their ancestral heritage. But the area in question is covered by a valid Hak Guna Usaha (HGU – Right to Cultivate), which is currently undergoing the renewal process,” stated Anwar Anshari, Manager of Tabara Estate, in an official statement to Palmoilmagazine.com on Monday, June 23, 2025.
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According to Anwar, PTPN IV Regional V holds an active Plantation Business License (Izin Usaha Perkebunan or IUP), and the renewal of its HGU—spanning 7,167 hectares—is proceeding through the BPN-facilitated Committee B hearings.
Tensions escalated when the protesting group not only voiced opposition but physically occupied parts of the estate. They erected huts and blocked access to sections of the plantation, particularly in Afdeling VI and VII.
“Building structures and occupying land under HGU constitutes a legal violation. The State Attorney from the East Kalimantan High Prosecutor’s Office has assessed these actions as criminal offenses. Consequently, we coordinated with the police, who have taken formal legal steps,” Anwar explained.
As of now, legal proceedings against three individuals involved in the occupation are ongoing at the Paser District Police and have reached the case review stage.
Anwar emphasized that from the beginning, the company has maintained open lines of communication with the community. Socialization efforts to explain the legal status of the land and the HGU renewal process were carried out well before any legal actions were initiated.
“We’ve never closed the door to dialogue. But as managers of state assets, we have a legal obligation to safeguard the estate’s operations,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the narrative that frames the company’s legal actions as acts of criminalization against local people. Such framing, he warned, could distort public perception.
“Legal enforcement should not be misrepresented as criminalization. We actually welcome peaceful resolutions—as long as they remain within the legal framework. If we ignore legal violations, then what kind of justice are we really pursuing?” Anwar added.
To note, resistance to the HGU renewal process at Tabara Estate has persisted for nearly eight months. The NGO Awa Kain Naket Bolum even filed a formal objection with the National Land Agency (BPN), urging it to reject the HGU renewal. However, BPN East Kalimantan dismissed the petition, citing lack of legal grounds.
In light of the ongoing developments, PTPN IV calls on all parties to exercise restraint and respect the legal processes underway. The company also reiterates its commitment to maintaining open dialogue with local communities, while upholding compliance with national regulations. (P2)
