Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) is urging local governments to enact regional regulations to protect the rights of indigenous communities over communal lands. Amran, Acting Director General of Regional Administration at Kemendagri, emphasized this during the closing of the Coordination and Consolidation Meeting for Communal Land Data/Information Inventory held at Grand Arjuna Hotel in Bandung, West Java, on Tuesday (12/03).
“This needs to be promoted. Not all local governments have begun recording or administering matters related to indigenous communities. This can be seen, first, by determining whether there is a local government decree or regional regulation concerning communal land,” Amran stated.
He emphasized the importance of clear legal and administrative foundations for communal land. Local governments that have not yet issued regional regulations (Perda) or relevant policies were urged to conduct administrative reviews. These regulations, he noted, are also tied to other aspects, such as the management of natural resources, protected forests, and coastal boundaries. “This is very important. When we discuss communal land, we must ensure that indigenous communities managing this land have a solid legal foundation,” he added.
Local governments were also advised to establish clear administrative boundaries for communal lands to prevent disputes. Once clearly defined boundaries, they can be integrated into the national territorial administration system using a code-based mapping and information system. “(Similar to) the National Identity Number (NIK), which starts with regional codes—from province codes, district/city codes, to sub-district codes,” he explained.
Amran emphasized the necessity of collaboration and synergy between ministries and institutions to address challenges related to indigenous land rights. He hoped the forum would provide comprehensive data and strategic information to support creating a communal land information system. “Data on communal lands needs to be prepared. Of course, this involves extensive explanation. We hope this forum will produce complete information on communal lands,” he concluded.
