Indonesian Task Force Creates Problems for Indigenous Communities, AMAN Says

Indigenous communities in Indonesia are facing escalating challenges, with the Forest Area Enforcement Task Force inadvertently legitimizing plantations on their ancestral lands. Rukka Sombolinggi, Secretary-General of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), stated that this situation has led to numerous problems on the ground.

"This law will protect ancestral lands from being turned into a red carpet for investment," Rukka said, emphasizing the critical need for the Indigenous Peoples Bill. The bill aims to provide a legal framework for resolving agrarian disputes, customary territory conflicts, and rights violations, offering restitution to affected communities. AMAN, along with other civil society organizations, is pushing for its immediate passage.

The situation has worsened under President Prabowo Subianto's administration, with 300 agrarian conflicts and 200 criminalization cases reported in 2025 alone. These figures underscore the precarious state of indigenous rights and the ongoing struggle for land security. The Indonesian parliament and government have shown renewed interest in the bill, but land grabs continue unabated, creating a sense of urgency.

While Gerindra, President Prabowo's party, is reportedly accelerating deliberations on the bill, potentially for political capital ahead of the 2029 elections, the immediate impact on indigenous communities remains dire. The ongoing destruction of nature and land conversion further erodes their living spaces and cultural identity, making the swift enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Bill a crucial step toward safeguarding their rights and heritage.

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This law will protect ancestral lands from being turned into a red carpet for investment.