The Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (Gapki) has asked the police to take firm action once morest theft of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in oil palm plantations throughout Indonesia, especially in Central Kalimantan (Central Kalimantan).
Chairman of Gapki Central Kalimantan, Saiful Panigoro, revealed that acts of theft in palm oil plantations not only disrupt public security and order, but also damage the investment climate.
“We have received many reports of theft of fresh fruit bunches/FFB from Gapki member palm oil companies in Central Kalimantan. The condition is increasingly worrying. I hope that the authorities will take firm action,” said Saiful in a written statement, Thursday (2/5).
He said that the theft of palm oil FFB was triggered by a number of reasons, such as the community’s misunderstanding in interpreting the company’s obligations for plasma plantations (FPKM). Then, claims on oil palm plantation land that do not yet have Cultivation Rights (HGU) are often used as an excuse to legalize this criminal act.
“We are concerned regarding this incident. We also heard that thieves are targeting gardens that do not belong to Gapki members and do not yet have HGU,” he said.
Paramadina University legal expert, Sadino, stated that the theft in Central Kalimantan was purely a criminal act and must be dealt with firmly. Apart from that, the legal basis related to land rights needs to be scrutinized, especially regarding the Constitutional Court decision 138 of 2015 which is often interpreted incorrectly.
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“Even though they don’t have an HGU, plantation companies are legally operating because they have a Plantation Business Permit (IUP),” he explained.
Sadino emphasized that the decision also does not apply retroactively. Therefore, there is no reason not to take legal action once morest thieves in oil palm plantations in Central Kalimantan.
Previously, East Kotawaringin (Kotim) Police Chief Sarpani confirmed that his party would not engage in selective cutting in law enforcement related to handling agrarian conflicts, including regarding the theft of FFB in oil palm plantations.
“FFB theft is a criminal act. We will definitely follow up on every report that comes in regarding looting from the public or palm oil plantations,” said Sarpani. (Ant/Z-11)
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