Ombudsman Sees Persistent Complaints Over Agrarian Governance

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia (ORI), an independent state institution overseeing public service delivery, has recorded 5,806 public complaints related to agrarian and spatial planning issues since 2021.

Ombudsman member Robert Na Endi Jaweng disclosed the figure during a meeting with Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.

He said the Ombudsman received complaints at both its headquarters and representative offices across various regions. Agrarian and spatial planning issues consistently rank among the top categories of public reports submitted to the Ombudsman.

“The volume is staggering. We are looking at 5,806 complaints reported by the public and received at the headquarters and representative offices,” he said.

Robert noted that the number of complaints indicates persistent public service problems in the agrarian sector, including alleged maladministration in land services.

“The typology of alleged maladministration involves undue delays and failure to provide services according to procedure,” he said.

He added that agrarian issues handled by the Ombudsman are not merely isolated cases. Many downstream service problems stem from systemic issues upstream.

One issue identified involves asset claims between individuals or entities. These disputes can escalate and affect public services in the land sector.

For this reason, the Ombudsman believes resolving agrarian issues requires addressing problems at the upstream level. Improving governance and overcoming obstacles in land‑related matters will be a key focus for the Ombudsman moving forward.

The Ombudsman also hopes that deliberations on the Land Administration Bill will help resolve systemic issues in the land sector. “Hopefully, the eventual completion of the bill will address upstream issues, thereby facilitating downstream service delivery,” he said.

Previously, deputy speaker of Commission II of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Bahtra Banong, urged the government to immediately improve land service governance. He called on the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) to work with the Association of Land Deed Officials (PPAT) to take action.

He said the public currently requires services that are fast, transparent, timely, and have clear costs. Bahtra noted that the quality of PPAT services is closely tied to the systems established by ATR/BPN.

“Therefore, service reform must begin with improving regulations and operational systems within BPN. The outcomes concerning speed, security, transparency, and costs are ultimately determined by the systems built by BPN,” Bahtra said on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. (Misni Parjiati)