InfoSAWIT, SAMPIT – Villagers of Waringin Agung, Sub district of Antang Kalang want their areas back. They were joining transmigration program and their areas are taken by palm oil plantation company.

For the condition, the villagers officially claimed palm oil plantation company, PT Bangkitgiat Usaha Mandiri (BUM), the subsidiary of NT Corps, to Court of Sampit.

The attorney of Villagers of Waringin Agung, Melkianus said that the first court took place on Thursday (6/4/2023) but the defendant did not attend still and should adjourn the trial until 11 May 2023.

Melkianus also explained that the issue started from PT BUM mastered and planted about 104 hectares in villagers’ areas. In fact, the areas had been handed over by the regional government to the villagers of Waringin Agung.

”The areas are the backup of transmigration program that were handed over by Department of Transmigration. They are in the region of Village of Waringin Agung. The rights of the areas belong to the village and handed over by the country. They lay about 103 hectares,” he said as quoted from Radar Sampit.

Melkianus also said, what the villagers struggled for, is not easy. Since 2014 they always fought to get their areas back but there was no solution. Theirs have been planted by palm oil.

On the other hand, the company thought the areas do not belong to the villagers. PT BUM claimed to have documents and permits on the areas.

Head of Village of Waringin Agung, Muhadi said, his side would defend on their rights that the government handed over. “The areas belong to us based on available documents,” he said. (T2)