 |
| Land Reform: A Legacy of Hope and the Path Toward a Fairer Future. |
Jakarta – Land reform is often misunderstood as merely distributing land to people. But according to Vice Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Deputy Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Ossy Dermawan, land reform holds a much deeper meaning. Speaking at the National Webinar titled “Implementing Land Reform: Past, Present, and Future” on July 17, 2025, he emphasized that land reform is about building justice, restoring balance, and shaping a sustainable future.
"Land reform is our historical legacy. It is also a mandate to shape the future. It is not just about distributing land, but about improving systems, building hope, and creating lasting justice," said Vice Minister Ossy in his keynote speech.
Facing New Challenges with Strategic and Inclusive Land Reform
Ossy pointed out that Indonesia is facing growing demographic and ecological challenges. While the population continues to increase, the amount of available land remains stagnant or even declines due to climate change and land conversion for development.
“In this situation, land reform should not be seen narrowly as land distribution alone. It must be a comprehensive strategy for managing living space in a fair, wise, and sustainable way,” he explained.
Five Key Strategic Insights for the Future of Land Reform
In his address, Ossy outlined five essential directions that should shape future land reform policies in Indonesia:
-
Responding to Social and Environmental Challenges
Land reform must take into account population growth, environmental degradation, and land scarcity. It must be more than a technical effort; it must also reflect social responsibility and environmental awareness. -
Developing Innovative and Flexible Models
Future land reform efforts should use an inclusive approach. This includes regional-based planning, digital land information systems, and stronger inter-sectoral collaboration. Community participation and spatial data integration must be central to land governance. -
Ensuring Social Justice in Land Bank Operations
Land banks must operate with full transparency and prioritize social justice. The legal requirement to allocate at least 30 percent of managed land for land reform must be implemented in a measurable and accountable way. -
Empowering Communities, Not Just Legalizing Assets
Land reform should strengthen the capacity of land recipients so they can thrive. This requires partnerships with cooperatives, financial institutions, small businesses, and education and training centers. -
Rebuilding the Spirit of Solidarity and Collaboration
The government cannot work alone. Cooperation with civil society organizations, indigenous communities, researchers, and universities is essential to bring land reform to life.
Public Education and Collaboration as the Foundation
This national webinar was a joint initiative between the Directorate General of Land Arrangement and the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) of the Ministry of ATR/BPN. In his remarks, BPSDM Head Agustyarsyah highlighted the importance of educating the public about the broad scope of land reform.
“We want people to understand that land reform is not just about giving land certificates, but also about improving community access and enabling people to build better lives,” he said.
Featuring Experts and Practitioners in Agrarian Policy
The event brought together leading voices in land and agrarian affairs, including:
-
Yulia Jaya Nirmawati, Director General of Land Arrangement
-
Maria S. W. Sumardjono, Professor of Agrarian Law, Gadjah Mada University
-
Yuswanda A. Temenggung, Chairman of the Agrarian and Land Affairs Retirees Association
-
Dewi Kartika, Secretary General of the Consortium for Agrarian Reform
The discussion was moderated by Nurhasan Ismail, a lecturer in agrarian law at Gadjah Mada University.
Land Reform Is a Promise, Not Just a Program
Land reform is more than a technical policy. It is a promise to create fairness, a tool to empower the people, and a strategy to build a future where land serves the many, not just the few. With collaboration, innovation, and strong public commitment, Indonesia can turn land reform into a true foundation of justice and prosperity.