After being proposed four times, the Kinipan Traditional Forest is starting to find a bright spot

The Laman Kinipan indigenous community in Central Kalimantan has submitted their customary forest proposal for the fourth time.

MASYARAKAT ADAT KINIPAN

Representatives of the Laman Kinipan indigenous community have submitted a proposal document for the recognition and protection of indigenous law communities and customary forests to acting Regent of Lamandau Lilis Suryani on Monday (29/4/2024). The document has been submitted four times, but it has always been rejected. The conflict will continue to escalate if the indigenous community and their territory are not recognized.

PALANGKA RAYA, KOMPAS — For the fourth time, the Laman Kinipan indigenous community in Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan, submitted a proposal for a customary forest. They hope that this time they will get a bright spot.

This community became a topic of conversation in 2020 when the Chairman of the Laman Kinipan Indigenous Community Effendi Buhing was arrested and dragged from his home by the Central Kalimantan Regional Police . Not only Buhing, four residents went to prison first. They were accused of damaging palm oil plantation company facilities and committing theft (Kompas, 26 August 2020).

The case, which many have deemed as criminalization, then vanished. All suspects who had been identified by the police were released. The case did not proceed either.

Also read: Teared by the Sorrow of Kinipan Residents

DOKUMEN SAVE OUR BORNEO

The indigenous community of Laman Kinipan rejected the opening of land in their customary territory in late November 2018 in Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan.

The incident was triggered by the rejection of the community regarding the presence of palm oil plantation companies in their area. Since then, the Laman Kinipan indigenous community has proposed a customary forest so that their area can be protected.

At least three years have passed, but the government has never followed up on the proposal. On Monday (29/4/2024), the indigenous community of Laman Kinipan, along with officials from the Kinipan Village and traditional structure of Batang Kawa Subdistrict, Lamandau Regency, returned to the Regent's Office in Lamandau.

KOMPAS/DIONISIUS REYNALDO TRIWIBOWO

A plantation area in Batang Kawa District, Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan on Wednesday (9/9/2020). The plantation area is claimed to be within the customary area of the Laman Kinipan Indigenous Community in Kinipan Village.

They met with acting Lamandau Regent Lilis Suryani. Residents once again submitted documents proposing recognition and protection of customary law communities (MHA) and customary forests.

The head of Kinipan Village, Willem Hengki, revealed on Tuesday (30/4/2024) that his team had submitted proposals for customary forests and recognition of MHA four times to the district government for follow-up. Hopefully, this time there will be clarity regarding the proposal.

"So far, according to the district government, the proposal is incomplete because there are problems with the boundaries," said Willem.

Kompas

The Dayak residents in Kinipan Laman visited the sacred forest or animal forest to gather medicinal plants in late December 2019.

Willem revealed that the boundary referred to is between Kinipan Village and Karang Taba Village. According to Willem, Karang Taba Village has already reached an agreement with the company, thus the disputed area has been maintained.

The extent of the indigenous territory or customary forest of Kinipan Village is coincidentally the same as the village's area, according to Willem. Therefore, there is already a document of agreement between all of the villages that border Kinipan, such as Watu Tambun Village, Tapin Binih Village, and Suja Village. All of these villages have agreed on the boundaries of their respective territories.

"Only Karang Taba rejected the agreement. However, they themselves do not even know the area they claim. But that's okay, during the mediation by the district government, everything will be opened up," said Willem.

Also read: KLHK Issues Decree on Reserving Kinipan Customary Forests

Willem revealed that the district government will summon the Karang Taba Village Government, which has been in disagreement with Kinipan regarding border arrangements, to review their documents. After that, both parties will be mediated.

"If there is no agreement later, we in Kinipan agree that the acting regent will decide on the boundary issue with Karang Taba," said Willem.

KOMPAS/DIONISIUS REYNALDO TRIWIBOWO

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Willem reminded that he and the traditional structure in Laman Kinipan asked Acting Regent Lilis Suryani to make a decision if indeed Karang Taba Village still refused. They will give in.

However, with the caveat of not disrupting the agreements already in place with three other villages, as previously done by Lamandau Regent Hendra Lesmana.

Acting Lamandau Regent Lilis Suryani told Kompas that he and the regional government were committed to resolving problems in Kinipan, especially regarding regional boundaries. He revealed that he had met several times with the Kinipan indigenous community to discuss their problems.

"We do plan to call all interested parties so we can find a solution," said Lilis.