Speaker of the House, Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani. Photo : Geraldi/Man

The Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. (H.C.) Puan Maharani highlights the rampant cases of the so-called “Land Mafia” that have recently been very detrimental to socieety. She urges government through its law enforcer institutions to get rid of the crimes of the land mafia. Maharani believes the snatching land case that happened to actress Nirina Zubir, is just one of the many cases faced by the society. 

“The Zubir’s case must be momentum to root out land mafia crimes. For many, lands are their sources of livelihoods. Therefore, those who snatch lands are snatching people’s livelihoods. They must be eradicated.” Maharani conveyed on a press release sent to the Parlementaria, Friday (19/11/2021). 

Maharani stresses to unravel the land mafia’s networks and eradicate them regardless of many parties involved. She affirms that all perpetrators must get maximum punishment according to the applicable laws and regulations. “Zero tolerance for the land mafia, the snatchers of people’s livelihoods. Their actions may cause suffering for many people. Therefore, they must be punished severely to create a deterrent effect on them.” She expressed. 

Furthermore, Maharani expects that the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning(ATR)/National Land Agency (BPN) takes a strict action for any involvements of its workers, for in many land snatching cases, government officials are involved. “If there are any workers of the Ministry of ATR/BPN involved in the land mafia cases. The fact that there are still many cases of land affairs indicates nothing but good administration practice in BPN’s management system has not been optimal yet so that it calls for the Ministry’s attention.” Puan said. 

Maharani considers the needs to establish a task force for prevention and eradication of the land mafia in order to solve internal problem within the Ministry of ATR/BPN. She also warns that BPN must apply a strict screening for official land deed (PPAT). “The competent authority should put an effort to seek human resources with good integrity, so that people will feel safe to manage their property.” She said 

Maharani also urges the Ministry of ATR/BPN not to be afraid of dealing with the land mafia. The government through its law enforcers should go hand in hand to stop the rampant practices of land mafia. “Improve inter-institutions cooperation to accelerate the preventing and mitigating settlement.” the politician of the Democratic Party of Struggle closed. (rnm/sf)