15 hours ago
12
March 18, 2025 | 12:22 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) has warned that the situation faced by Indonesia's indigenous communities continues to deteriorate in 2025.
According to AMAN’s records, indigenous groups encountered hundreds of land-related conflicts between January and March this year.
"AMAN’s data shows that as of March 2025, there have been 110 conflict cases involving indigenous communities," said AMAN Secretary-General Rukka Sombolinggi in a written statement on Monday, March 17, 2025.
Rukka highlighted that large-scale plantation projects were the primary cause of conflicts over the past three months. Other disputes stemmed from mining areas and infrastructure and energy projects under the National Strategic Projects (PSN) scheme.
AMAN noted that these early-year conflicts have worsened an already dire situation from the previous year. "Land grabs in indigenous territories reached 2.8 million hectares in 2024," Rukka stated.
She also criticized the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) for failing to take concrete action on passing the Indigenous Peoples Bill (RUU Masyarakat Adat), despite its inclusion in the 2025 National Legislative Program (Prolegnas).
Rukka further pointed out that regional governments have been slow in protecting indigenous communities. While 350 local regulations acknowledging indigenous rights have been enacted, territorial recognition remains limited.
As an example, she noted that only 265,250 hectares of customary forests have been officially recognized, even though Indonesia has an estimated 23.2 million hectares of indigenous forests.
Therefore, Rukka urged the government to recognize and protect indigenous rights.
"Indigenous communities have waited too long for justice. The government and DPR must immediately pass the Indigenous Peoples Bill, stop land grabs, and guarantee the rights that are already protected by the constitution," she emphasized.
The DPR previously included the Indigenous Peoples Bill in the 2025 Prolegnas. It was proposed as a priority bill by three DPR members: Sulaeman Hamzah, Martin Manurung, and Rudianto Lallo.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), the National Awakening Party (PKB), and the Regional Representative Council (DPD) have also called for the bill’s prioritization and passage this year.
Editor's Choice: House Member Says Repeated Land Conversion Causes Puncak Floods
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Komnas HAM Receives 114 Human Rights Breach Reports on National Strategic Projects
3 hari lalu
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has received 114 reports on human rights violations related to the National Strategic Projects (PSN) since 2020.
Muhammadiyah Urges Prabowo to Halt Rempang Eco City Project
9 hari lalu
The Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah asks Prabowo Subianto to take a firm stance on national strategic projects (PSN) that are not continued by the government.
House Member Says Repeated Land Conversion Causes Puncak Floods
14 hari lalu
Floods in the Puncak area have submerged 119 houses with 204 households and 423 residents.
ICW: Corruption in National Strategic Projects Causes Rp2.7bn State Loss
53 hari lalu
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) revealed that corruption is one of the problems hindering national strategic projects (PSN).
Prabowo to Evaluate PSN, Minister Airlangga: PIK 2 is Not a National Strategic Project
55 hari lalu
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto will evaluate the National Strategic Project (PSN) to ensure that the projects are running according to plan.
Recurring Conflict in National Strategic Projects
10 Januari 2025
Another bloody clash occurred on Rempang Island. The embers of conflict failed to be extinguished in national strategic projects.
6 Controversies of PIK 2 Project
5 Januari 2025
The determination of Tropical Coastland PIK 2 on the north coast of Jakarta and Tangerang, Banten, has drawn controversy.
Rempang Residents Claim Attack by PT MEG Officers; 9 Injured
18 Desember 2024
The attack was launched when residents caught a company employee suspected of destroying a banner rejecting the Rempang Eco City project.
Residents Say Majority Still Rejecting Rempang Eco-City Project, Call BP Batam Liar
5 Desember 2024
Rempang residents refute BP Batam's claims as "hurtful and deceptive", perceiving them as attempts to intimidate the community.
Satellite Images Expose Deforestation Evidence: Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve Ravaged by Palm Oil Plantations
13 November 2024
The Ministry of Environment stated that an investigation on deforestation in the Rawa Singkil Wildlife Reserve has been conducted and suspects will be announced.
