HOLOPIS.COM, JAKARTA – Indonesia’s Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) is stepping up discussions with the House of Representatives on a proposed Land Administration Bill, aimed at simplifying the country’s fragmented land governance system and strengthening legal certainty over land administration.
“The Land Administration Bill is needed because changing circumstances and fragmented regulations have led to overlapping rules, policy inconsistencies, and various challenges in land management and administration. The bill is intended to serve as a strategic instrument to strengthen Indonesia’s national land administration system,” Ministry Secretary-General Dalu Agung Darmawan said, Holopis.com, reported, Wednesday (8/7).
According to Dalu Agung, the proposed legislation is part of broader efforts to harmonize Indonesia’s land governance framework while supporting fair, sustainable national development and providing greater legal certainty.
The bill is based on Law No. 5 of 1960 on Basic Agrarian Principles, which serves as the country’s primary legal framework for land governance. Officials expect the new legislation to create a more integrated and efficient land administration system.
Dalu Agung said inconsistencies between existing regulations have often resulted in administrative matters becoming legal disputes because of differing interpretations and regulatory overlap.
He said stronger legal provisions are needed to provide greater certainty for government agencies responsible for managing land administration.
The ministry presented the draft bill during a focus group discussion with lawmakers from the House’s Commission II, which oversees domestic governance and land affairs, while gathering feedback to further strengthen the legislation.
The proposed bill covers a wide range of technical issues, including land management policies, surveying and cadastral mapping, improvements to the land registration system, agrarian reform, land and spatial planning enforcement, and the possible establishment of specialized land courts.
According to Dalu Agung, input from technical experts is expected to strengthen the bill and ensure it addresses increasingly complex legal and administrative challenges.
The ministry and Commission II have committed to refining the draft before it proceeds to the next stage of the legislative process.
Dalu Agung expressed hope that the Land Administration Bill will be designated a legislative priority, allowing deliberations to move forward and ultimately provide a comprehensive legal foundation for Indonesia’s land administration system.
