RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has dismissed claims that farmers risk losing their land if they plant mangroves on aquaculture sites, calling such allegations false and misleading.

“That is a lie, a hoax. It is not true that when communities are invited to plant mangroves, the government will later seize their ponds or farmland. Such claims are slander and baseless incitement,” Minister Raja Juli said in Jakarta on Saturday, February 7, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that the government’s priority is to ensure communities have legal certainty over the land they manage. 

Drawing on his experience as former Deputy Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), he highlighted the importance of the Complete Systematic Land Registration (PTSL) program, which provides mass land certification for citizens.

“I used to oversee PTSL, a mass certification program for landowners. I will coordinate with the governor and regional offices, together with forestry colleagues, to identify aquaculture sites that remain uncertified, those awaiting approval, or those with certificates already issued but not yet collected,” he explained.

The minister stressed that land certificates are crucial for legal protection. Without them, he warned, farmers face greater risks of losing land to third parties.

“If people fear the government will take their land, the real danger is actually the opposite; others could claim it if they hold the certificate. So, manage your ponds properly, maintain physical control, and secure your certificates,” he urged.

Minister Raja Juli also praised mangrove planting in aquaculture areas as a best practice that benefits farmers directly.

“This is a model example. Planting mangroves increases productivity. Without mangroves, environmental processes weaken - carbon absorption declines, ecosystems degrade - and eventually pond yields drop,” he said.

The minister made these remarks during a dialogue with farmers and a mangrove planting event marking World Wetlands Day in Liagu Village, Sekatak District, Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan. 

The initiative was carried out alongside local communities, Canadian Embassy Development Cooperation Head and Advisor Alice Birnbaum, North Kalimantan Governor Zainal A. Paliwang, and officials from the Forestry Ministry. ***