New Policy: State Control Over Abandoned Lands in Indonesia

Recently, Indonesia has implemented updated regulations concerning abandoned lands, which have caused concern among landowners. President Prabowo signed new rules that give the state the right to seize plots if they are not used properly. These rules somewhat tighten the procedure introduced in 2021. The document imposes more obligations on owners to maintain their territories in proper condition to avoid seizure. The new reformulation is perceived as a state attempt to strictly deal with ineffective land use, although the rules themselves have been in place since 1960. Basically, the changes pertain to the timeframes within which owners must begin using the land, or it will be considered abandoned.