Indonesian Police Suspend Criminal Cases Linked to Agrarian Conflicts

Indonesia’s Criminal Investigation Agency has put on hold the handling of criminal cases tied closely to structural agrarian conflicts. The decision came as lawmakers work on revisions to the Agrarian Reform Law.

Criminal Investigation Agency chief Syahardiantono said the moratorium followed an Aug. 26 consultation with the House of Representatives’ Commission III. He announced the policy during a meeting at the parliamentary legislation body on Sept. 7.

“We have taken a strategic step by imposing a moratorium, or temporary suspension, on all criminal cases closely related to structural agrarian conflicts,” Syahardiantono said.

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We have taken a strategic step by imposing a moratorium, or temporary suspension, on all criminal cases closely related to structural agrarian conflicts.

He said police had sought to apply the principle that criminal proceedings should wait when agrarian disputes primarily involve civil-law issues. Police also favor mediation and restorative justice, he said, so criminal law does not undermine communities’ efforts to defend their land rights.

“We are providing the broadest possible space for settlements based on mediation and restorative justice, to ensure that criminal-law instruments do not harm the essence of the people’s struggle for their rights,” Syahardiantono said. He added that police would continue to support and respect customary land rights and Indigenous communities’ legal existence. He also referred to Home Affairs Regulation No. 52 of 2024, which sets out procedures for recognizing and protecting Indigenous communities. Police, he said, would oversee those administrative stages so customary rights could receive legal certainty and protection.

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We are providing the broadest possible space for settlements based on mediation and restorative justice, to ensure that criminal-law instruments do not harm the essence of the people’s struggle for their rights.