Mass Palm Fruit Harvesting Action in Central Kalimantan Widens, 16 People Arrested

The conflict between residents and oil palm plantation companies in Central Kalimantan is getting sharper with the rise of mass harvesting actions.

DOKUMENTASI WARGA SERUYAN

Illustration: Participants in the protest in Bangkal Village, Seruyan Regency, Central Kalimantan, burned several facilities belonging to the company on Thursday (21/9/2023) afternoon. The crowd demands that the palm oil plantation company provide the right to plasma gardens for the community.

PALANGKA RAYA, KOMPAS - Palm fruit theft from companies has happened again. This time, two palm plantation companies in West Kotawaringin Regency and another company in East Kotawaringin Regency became the target of the mob action. As many as 16 people were arrested by the police.

Those who were arrested were residents in West Kotawaringin Regency who were suspected and evaluated by authorities as stealing palm fruit from plantations. They stole palm fruit from two companies located in two locations, namely in Pangkalan Banteng District and Arut Utara District.

The Chief of West Kotawaringin Regency Police, Ajun Komisaris Besar (AKBP) Yusfandi Usman, explained that his team is still intensively examining the 16 people who were arrested. Nevertheless, the police have already designated those 16 individuals as suspects.

For a long time, the mass harvesting movement by residents has always been seen as theft. However, there are many factors that influence such actions. One of the most important factors is the demand for plasma gardens and the unresolved issue of welfare.

Yusfandi revealed that his team caught the suspects at the end of April and seized several pieces of evidence. One of the pieces of evidence that was confiscated was a palm fruit bunch weighing up to 8 tons that was allegedly harvested directly by the suspects at the location of two plantation companies.

"From the results of the interim inspection, they were in action from February to April," said Yusfandi in Pangkalan Bun, Wednesday (1/5/2024).

Yusfandi added that his party also asked the platform owner or palm oil seller for information to find out who was the source of the stolen palm fruit. For security, his party also requested assistance from personnel from Brimob Central Kalimantan Regional Police.

"Even though the general condition of West Kotawaringin Regency can be considered conducive, there are still vulnerabilities in certain areas, for example in plantations. "To maintain a safe and conducive investment climate, that is why we are backed up by personnel from the Central Kalimantan Regional Police," explained the Police Chief.

Apart from being examined, continued Yusfandi, his party also carried out urine tests on the suspects. As a result, two of them were positive for drugs.

KOMPAS/DIONISIUS REYNALDO TRIWIBOWO

Illustration: Dayak People's Alliance Concerned About Bangkal held a demonstration in front of the Central Kalimantan Police Headquarters in Palangkaraya on Monday (16/10/2023). They urged the police who were suspected of instructing shooting to be tried in both legal and customary law. They also demanded that the Central Kalimantan Police Chief and Seruyan Police Chief be dismissed from their positions, not just transferred.

Apart from West Kotawaringin, the palm fruit harvesting action also took place in the East Kotawaringin Regency area on Tuesday (30/4/2024). From Kompas's search, the action took place in Satiung Village, Mentaya Hulu District.

According to the Director of Save Our Borneo (SOB) Muhammad Habibi, so far the mass harvest movement of residents has always been seen as a form of theft. In fact, there are many factors that influence this action. One of the most main is the demand for plasma plantations and welfare issues that have never been answered.

Also read: Harvesting and Joint Declarations are considered not to solve the problem of mass palm oil harvests

A similar case, according to Kompas, also occurred in Seruyan Regency, precisely in Bangkal Village, which resulted in a clash between the police and the community and the death of one Bangkal resident. Then previously, in 2023, a similar incident also occurred in West Kotawaringin Regency.

According to Habibi, in cases like this, authorities should be able to use restorative justice to resolve the problem peacefully. It can be used as a moment to mediate so that both the authorities and the government understand the exact reasons behind the mass harvesting.

KOMPAS/DIONISIUS REYNALDO TRIWIBOWO

One of the trucks carrying fresh palm fruit bunches passed through a road in one of the palm plantations in East Kotawaringin, Central Kalimantan, on Wednesday (9/9/2020). East Kotawaringin is the area with the largest total area of palm plantations in Central Kalimantan, and even Indonesia.

Investment

Chairman of the Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (Gapki) in Central Kalimantan, Saiful Panigoro, explained that the mass action was a criminal act of theft that disturbed public security and order. He also believes that this action will damage the investment climate, especially in Central Kalimantan.

"We have received many reports of theft of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) from palm oil companies that are members of Gapki in Central Kalimantan. The situation is increasingly concerning. I hope there will be firm action from the authorities as this is a criminal act," said Saiful.

According to him, the theft of palm oil fresh fruit bunches (TBS) is triggered by several reasons such as misunderstanding the company's obligation towards plasma plantations and residents' claims on plantations that they deemed to have not yet obtained the right to use (HGU). He hopes that the situation can become conducive again so that entrepreneurs can comfortably invest in Central Kalimantan.

Also read: Residents Desperate for Mass Harvest of Palm Oil, Central Kalimantan Police Apply Article for Theft