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Indonesian Military Investigates General’s Presence During Contentious Land Dispute in Makassar
A land dispute in Makassar, South Sulawesi, has escalated into a national issue, prompting an inquiry by the Indonesian Army (TNI) into the whereabouts of a two-star general during a recent execution of a court order. The case gained prominence after former Vice President Jusuf Kalla (JK) publicly voiced his frustration with the situation.
The TNI is currently tracing the movements of Major General achmad Adipati Karna Widjaja, currently serving as Special Staff to the Army Chief of Staff, to ascertain the circumstances surrounding his presence at the disputed land in Tanjung Bunga. According to Colonel TNI (Inf) Donny Pramono, Head of the Army Information Service, the investigation aims to ensure a full resolution to the matter.
“Regarding the news and accusations circulating on social media regarding his whereabouts at the location of the land dispute in the Tanjung Bunga area, Makassar, we are currently tracing and exploring this information to ensure that the case is fully resolved,” Pramono stated on Monday, November 17th. He emphasized that all TNI personnel, especially those in strategic positions, are bound by military rules and ethical codes, requiring professionalism, neutrality, and a detachment from personal or group interests. “The Indonesian army considers it important to first examine the facts and chronology objectively before providing further statements. we also hope that all parties can wait for the results of our official clarification,” he added.
The 16.4-hectare parcel of land, located on Jalan Metro Tanjung, tamalate District, Makassar, is at the center of a dispute with claims originating from the 10th and 12th Vice Presidents of the Republic of Indonesia, Jusuf Kalla. JK alleges that the land was illegally seized by a “mafia.”
Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), Nusron Wahid, acknowledged JK’s concerns, clarifying that the dispute dates back to 1990, predating his tenure as minister. Nusron identified four parties involved in the conflict: PT Hadji Kalla, PT Gowa Makassar Tourism Progress (GMTD) – affiliated with the Lippo Group – as well as individuals named Mulyono and Manyombalang Dg. Solong.
Nusron explained that a court execution of the land was carried out abruptly, without the necesary “constating process,” necessitating a re-measurement of the property. “There was a court execution, a conflict between GMTD and other people, suddenly it was executed and the execution process had not gone through the constating process,” he said on Thursday, November 6th, following a workshop at the Sheraton Gandaria Hotel in South Jakarta. The ATR/BPN has since sent a letter to the Makassar City District Court requesting clarification on the execution procedure.
Lippo Group CEO James Riady denied direct involvement in the land dispute, stating, “The land is not owned by Lippo. so it has nothing to do with Lippo. so we have no comment.” However, Riady confirmed that Lippo Group holds a stake in PT Gowa Makassar tourism Development (GMTD), one of the entities asserting rights to the contested land. “The land is owned by a local government company in the area called PT GMTD which is a public company, where Lippo is one of the shareholders,” he clarified on Monday, November 10th.
[Gambas:Instagram] (from/yoa/from)
The unfolding situation highlights the complexities of land ownership and enforcement in Indonesia, and the TNI’s investigation signals a commitment to clarity and accountability in resolving the dispute.
