Indonesia: Komnas HAM team to deal with land rows in Jambi

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) will send a special team to monitor and deal with various land conflicts and cases involving the community and plantation companies operating in Jambi province, a Komnas HAM official said.

“Our team will arrive in Jambi today,” said Komnas HAM chairman Ifdhal Kasim after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Jambi provincial administration for the improvement and familiarization of the human rights network in the province.

He added that the commission was finding ways to end land disputes in Jambi, especially the one involving the recent shooting of farmers by police officers in Senyerang subdistrict, West Tanjungjabung regency and in Karang Mendapo subdistrict, Sarolangun regency.

He said the commission had received reports regarding the matter from the community.

The five-member team, according to Ifdhal, would implement a thorough approach to all involved parties in its task.

“Based on the data they collect, we will give recommendations to both the central government and the respective local administrations,” he said.

He also said his office would seek clarification from the local police regarding the shooting, although it had received an initial report on the matter. “We will see if it involved a misuse of the police’s authority.”

Separately, Jambi Governor Hasan Basri Agus said his administration had a strong commitment to thoroughly dealing with various land-related problems in the province.

He said the administration had set up a team to take inventory of the conflicts in Jambi, some of which were already in a settlement process.

The cases include the Senyerang shooting and the dispute between local farmers and PT Wirya Karya Sakti over a 41,000-hectare field.

Date: 14 April 2011

Source: Jakarta Post