Indonesia Pledges to Finalize 1.4 Million Hectares of Customary Forests

Indonesia's Forestry Minister, Raja Juli Antoni, has reaffirmed the government's dedication to officially recognize 1.4 million hectares of customary forests. This commitment is being formalized through a government decree, signaling a significant step towards resolving persistent conflicts between the state and indigenous communities over land and resource management.

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As Minister of Forestry, I personally am committed to expediting the process of establishing these customary law communities.

Minister Antoni expressed a personal commitment to accelerating the designation process, viewing it as crucial for achieving justice and strengthening the rights of customary law communities. He acknowledged that disputes over these areas have historically stemmed from differing perspectives on rights, management practices, and law enforcement, highlighting the long-standing nature of these tensions.

The government plans to bridge the gap between state regulations and indigenous traditional knowledge through ongoing dialogue. "While there are legal regulations, what goes beyond formal legal frameworks is good communication and agreement between the Ministry of Forestry, the government, and indigenous communities," Antoni stated. This approach emphasizes collaboration to find common ground.

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It turns out that conflicts have existed for a long time and occur everywhere between the state and society in defining, managing, enforcing the law, and granting rights.

As part of this initiative, decrees for several customary forest areas have already been processed. These include 1,175 hectares for 4,938 families across various regions in Bengkulu, Bali, and Jambi provinces. This tangible progress indicates a move towards implementing the government's pledge to protect and formalize indigenous land rights.

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While there are legal regulations, what goes beyond formal legal frameworks is good communication and agreement between the Ministry of Forestry, the government, and indigenous communities.