Azis Subekti, a member of Indonesia's House of Representatives Commission II, notes that the government's approach to resolving agrarian conflicts in forest areas has shifted to using spatial analysis. He appreciates this step, while stressing that not all conflicts can be settled quickly. Azis calls for bravery in breaking old patterns to balance forest preservation with justice for communities.
Jakarta – Azis Subekti, a member of Indonesia's House of Representatives Commission II, states that the government's approach to handling agrarian conflicts in forest areas has seen significant changes in recent years. According to him, resolutions now rely more on spatial analysis and chronological tracing of land ownership, rather than mere assumptions.
"The resolution of conflicts no longer fully relies on assumptions, but on spatial analysis and chronological tracing of land possession," Azis said in a written statement on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
He appreciates the thorough preparations Indonesia has made before making agrarian decisions, including distinguishing forest zones. However, Azis reminds that this shift highlights the reality that not all conflicts can be resolved instantly. For instance, in some regions, thousands of land plots have been occupied by communities for decades but do not meet simple technical resolution criteria.
"The state is forced to take paths of policy, management arrangements, partnerships, or limited utilization schemes, which demand patience, cross-sector coordination, and bravery to break from old patterns," he added.
Azis emphasizes the government's bravery in abandoning old patterns as key to resolution. He also highlights that many villages in forest areas remain in limbo due to unsynchronized policies across ministries. “The disconnection between land, forestry, and spatial planning policies still creates new uncertainties, including in recognizing customary territories that are outside forest zones in spatial terms but treated otherwise administratively,” he said.
Furthermore, Azis urges the involvement of civil society and cross-stakeholder collaboration. Yet, such collaboration must go beyond meetings. "It demands data transparency, clear success metrics, and bravery to curb sectoral egos that have prolonged conflicts," he stated.
Ultimately, for Azis, agrarian conflicts in forests are not about choosing between preserving forests or defending communities. "In the end, agrarian conflicts in forest areas are not about choosing between protecting forests or defending citizens. It is about reorganizing the state's relationship with people's living spaces. Forests should not be sacrificed for justice, and justice should not be upheld by sacrificing humans," he concluded.
