State Firm Head Orders End to Legal Action Against Elderly Man Over Rubber Sap

Indonesia's state-owned enterprise oversight body has ordered PT Perkebunan Nusantara (PTPN) to cease all legal proceedings and intimidation against an elderly man named Mujiran in Lampung. Dony Oskaria, head of the State-Owned Enterprises Management Body (BP BUMN), stated that the focus should be on welfare and guidance, not punishment, for citizens struggling to survive.

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We must cut off welfare problems with guidance, not criminalization.

Oskaria stressed that using criminal law against impoverished individuals attempting to make a living is detrimental to the reputation of state-owned enterprises (BUMN). He issued three directives to PTPN's directors: halt legal action, provide adequate social assistance, and offer employment. Oskaria specifically requested that Mujiran or his family be given a job within PTPN, emphasizing that BUMN should be a source of support, not imprisonment, for those in need.

The BP BUMN chief strongly condemned the criminalization of vulnerable individuals, particularly an elderly person like Mujiran. He reminded all BUMN personnel of the fundamental purpose of state-owned companies: to benefit the public. Oskaria apologized for the incident, which he acknowledged undermined the sense of justice, and urged PTPN's local leadership to personally meet with Mujiran and his family to offer an institutional apology.

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I have ordered that Kakek Mujiran or his family be given a job in the PTPN environment. BUMN must be present as a solution to protect, not as a tool to imprison people who are in trouble.

This case will serve as a significant warning to all BUMN directors across Indonesia. BP BUMN and Danantara plan a comprehensive review of asset security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure a more humanistic and restorative justice approach is consistently applied. Oskaria reiterated that BUMN must fulfill its mandate to serve and work for the people.

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As Head of BP BUMN, I apologize to Kakek Mujiran and his family. I emphasize once again that BUMN belongs to the people and was built with the people's money.