Hercules Storms the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency Over a Land Dispute

The Chairman of the United Indonesian People’s Movement (GRIB) Jaya, Hercules Rosario de Marshal, visited the offices of the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) on Monday (19 October) in connection with a land dispute.

“So today we are here to hold the Minister of ATR, Mr Nusron Wahid, to account; he is currently being summoned by the KPK, and we do not know where he has gone,” said Hercules, as quoted from a video uploaded to GRIB Jaya’s Instagram account on Tuesday (20 October).

He said his delegation was received by representatives from the Ministry of ATR/BPN. Hercules put forward two demands: one concerning the Arjuna Bowling land dispute in West Jakarta and the other regarding a 65-hectare land dispute linked to PT Summarecon.

“We are asking for the HD for Arjuna Bowling in West Jakarta to be revoked, and secondly, we demand that the 12 HGBs held by Summarecon – which were converted from freehold title – be reverted to their original status as freehold title certificates covering 65 hectares belonging to the heirs of PT Summarecon,” he said.

Hercules claims that his party has the legal basis and evidence to make these claims.

He said that ministry officials have so far ignored the legal grounds they possess.

“Today we have come to the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning because we have valid legal grounds and evidence, but so far the senior officials at the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning, as well as the senior officials here, have all ignored us,” said Hercules.

He then criticised the Ministry’s service. Hercules said that members of the public who came bearing legal documents often did not receive proper service.

“But if they come bearing ill-gotten gains, carrying bags full of cash, they’re given the red-carpet treatment here. If members of the public come bearing the legal documents they actually possess, they are never served properly,” he said.

"Why have I come here in person today? Because the Indonesian public are fed up; they’re no strangers to my face, Hercules. I’ve come because this is now crystal clear, absolutely crystal clear – that’s why we’re here," he added.