Walhi and Community Representatives Appeal to PDI-P in DPR Over Land Conflicts and Environmental Damage

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), along with representatives from several communities, filed a complaint with the PDI-Perjuangan Faction in the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) regarding land conflicts, environmental damage, and the sluggish pace of post-disaster recovery on Monday (9/21/2026).

Dana Prima Tarigan, Head of the Strategic Communications and National Executive Network (Eknas) Department at WALHI, explained that the communities involved come from various groups across different regions.

“There are coastal residents, fishermen, farmers, and also urban communities being evicted in Jakarta,” Dana said at the DPR RI Building on Monday (9/21/2026).

One of the complainants was Kholid Mikdar from the Farmers and Fishermen Awakening Front in North Banten.

He raised issues concerning land ownership affected by the PIK 2 project.

Kholid stated that the designation of the project as a National Strategic Project (PSN) has made it difficult for communities to defend their land.

“With the PSN label, they act recklessly. Our lands are being evicted and seized with figures that are arbitrarily decided. Whether we want to sell or not, they bulldoze and force us to sell at unfair prices,” Kholid said.

Kholid also urged the DPR to reexamine spatial planning changes in Banten Province, as he believes these changes neglect environmental carrying capacity and sustainability.

“We don’t want to be like a map on a table that is carelessly scribbled on,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hatta from Indramayu complained about PSN plans in the northern coast (Pantura) area, which he believes threaten the community’s livelihood.

He highlighted that residents in the Pantura coastal region, including Bekasi, Karawang, Subang, and Indramayu, have relied on this area for generations.

“In Indramayu alone, over 2,000 hectares impact about 2,000 households,” Hatta said.

According to Hatta, the consequences are felt not only by pond and rice field owners but also by workers and other community members dependent on the coastal area for their livelihoods.

Hatta criticized resettlement policies and compensation provided to affected communities.

“We are not impoverished, orphans, nor disaster victims. We have managed this land for decades, even over 50 years,” he said.