 |
| Papuan Indigenous Lands Must Bring Prosperity: Minister Nusron Says Communities Shouldn’t Be Mere Spectators. |
Jayapura — Indonesia’s Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Nusron Wahid, emphasized that indigenous communities in Papua must take part directly in economic growth instead of becoming mere spectators. To ensure this, the government is accelerating the registration and certification of customary lands (tanah ulayat) across Papua.
Speaking at the Socialization on Customary Land Administration and Registration in Jayapura on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Minister Nusron explained that proper registration is essential to protect indigenous land rights.
“We cannot allow indigenous communities to simply watch their land being developed without receiving any benefits. We’ve seen this happen in other regions—land is used for large investments and generates big profits, but the indigenous people get nothing because their land isn’t properly recorded. We must not let this happen in Papua,” he stressed.
Minister Nusron clarified that customary land registration is not a form of state takeover. Instead, it provides legal protection and strengthens the position of indigenous communities, especially when outside parties want to use or partner on their land.
Several regions, such as West Sumatra and Bali, have already implemented this program with promising results. Registered customary lands have begun generating economic value for local residents. Examples include tourism development in Tanjung Haro, Sikabu-kabu in Lima Puluh Kota, West Sumatra, and banana plantations in Asah Duren Village, Jembrana, Bali. These cases show that well-documented customary land can support productive economic activities.
Nusron added that once the registration is complete, indigenous communities gain stronger legal rights and greater opportunities to build prosperity. “When communities are actively involved in economic activities, they benefit directly. But if they’re not included, they can only watch from a distance without having any influence,” he said.
He emphasized that customary land registration is a strategic step to ensure that indigenous lands are not only legally protected but also become valuable economic assets for the people. With clear legal status, every use of the land can provide real benefits to the indigenous community.
During his first official visit to Papua, Minister Nusron was accompanied by the Minister’s Special Staff for Agrarian Reform Rezka Oktoberia, Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Bureau Shamy Ardian, Director for Government Land, Customary Land, and Communal Land Regulation Suwito, and Head of the Papua Provincial Land Office Roy Eduard Fabian Wayoi. The event was also attended by various regency-level leaders from across Papua as well as representatives from the Papua Provincial Government.
