Indonesia to Implement New Land Ownership Regulations

Phase-Out of Traditional Land Documents

The Indonesian government has announced that traditional land ownership documents such as girik, letter C, and Petok D will no longer be valid after February 2, 2026. This change is mandated by Government Regulation No. 18/2021 concerning Land Management Rights, Land Rights, Condominium Units, and Land Registration. The regulation requires landowners who possess these traditional documents to register their land ownership with the National Land Agency (BPN) and obtain a Sertifikat Hak Milik (SHM), which is the official proof of land ownership.

Process of Converting Traditional Documents

To facilitate the transition, landowners are required to submit an application for certification along with supporting documents. According to Shamy Ardian, Head of the Public Relations and Protocol Bureau at the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency, applicants need to provide statements regarding the history of land ownership and control, witnessed by at least two witnesses and acknowledged by the local village or sub-district government. This process is designed to be straightforward, encouraging landowners to formalize their land ownership.

Implications of Non-Compliance

Landowners who fail to convert their traditional land documents to SHM by the deadline may face legal implications and potential disputes over land ownership. The government emphasizes that having an SHM is crucial for securing legal recognition of land ownership, which can protect property rights and facilitate transactions involving land.