Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) Commander General Andika Perkasa has met lawyer and former law and human rights minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra to discuss legal issues around the military forces.
Perkasa said in a statement received here, Saturday, most legal issues faced by the TNI are issues pertaining to land ownership.
“In fact, TNI controls land in various regions which are yet to be registered under the name of TNI or the defence ministry,” the commander said.
Some land lots under the control of the military were claimed by residents and private enterprises and often, used for residential or business areas, he said.
Moreover, in some land dispute cases brought to the court, the court decided against the military and granted the land to the claimants.
Meanwhile, Mahendra, who is also a constitutional law expert, suggested the TNI to conduct a land survey and analyse the legal status of each TNI-controlled land lot. The land survey would allow the military to identify which land lots are disputed by other parties, he said.
After identifying disputed lands, the military could select several avenues to settle the dispute, and when mediation is not successful in resolving the land dispute, the military can bring the case to the court, he added.
“TNI is part of the people, hence, resolutions of land disputes with the people must prioritise deliberation and consensus principles before deciding to take legal actions,” Mahendra noted.
Responding to Mahendra’s suggestion, Perkasa concurred that resolving land disputes with residents must prioritise humane approaches while respecting prevailing laws.
Source: Antara News