Saturday, 24 October 2026
DELI SERDANG | INDATANEWS.COM - The Deli Serdang Regency Administration is supporting efforts to clarify the legal status of a former PTPN I Regional 1 plantation concession in Dusun IX, Sampali Village, Percut Sei Tuan District. The matter is to be resolved in accordance with applicable laws and legal procedures. The land covers approximately 93 hectares and is currently home to around 750 families.
The position was outlined by Zainal Abidin Hutagalung, Assistant for Government Affairs and Public Welfare at the Deli Serdang Regency Administration Secretariat, during a public hearing with Commission A of the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives on Monday, 19 October 2026.The meeting formed part of inter-agency efforts to discuss the status and legal position of the land occupied by residents. Of the approximately 750 families living in the area, 578 residents have joined the Musyawarah Warga Sampali Dua Satu (MARWALI-21) residents' initiative to pursue legal certainty over the land they occupy.
Resolving the issue requires a clear determination of the land's status, an examination of the relevant legal basis and coordination among the institutions responsible. These steps are intended to ensure that all subsequent actions comply with applicable laws and regulations."The legal status of this land must be clarified on the basis of clear legal provisions. This must take into account the land's status, court rulings and the responsibilities of each authority. Coordination and cooperation among all parties are therefore essential to ensure that the process proceeds in accordance with the applicable regulations," Zainal said.
According to Zainal, a clear legal basis is crucial in determining the next steps towards resolving the land dispute. All parties must consider the status of the land and any relevant court decisions relating to the matter. At the same time, each authority must carry out its duties within the limits of its statutory powers.The Deli Serdang Regency Administration supports efforts to find a solution grounded in the applicable legal framework. It will also follow further discussions with the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives and the relevant institutions.
This position highlights the importance of cooperation between government institutions in addressing land issues affecting large numbers of residents. However, a final resolution will require further examination of the relevant documents and legal grounds to ensure that any decision rests on a clear legal basis.
The public hearing was the fifth meeting held to discuss the land issue involving the former land-use rights (HGU) concession of PTPN I Regional 1 in Sampali Village. The area under discussion covers approximately 93 hectares and is home to around 750 families.
The fact that 578 residents have joined MARWALI-21 illustrates the number of people whose interests are affected by the clarification of the land's legal status. They are seeking legal certainty over the land on which they have lived for an extended period.Several other parties involved in determining the land's status also attended the hearing. In addition to Zainal Abidin Hutagalung, participants included Irham Buana Nasution, a member of Commission A of the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives, and Henry Dumanter Tampubolon, secretary of the commission. Irham Buana Nasution chaired the meeting alongside other officials.
Representatives of the National Land Agency in North Sumatra Province, members of MARWALI-21 and the residents' legal advisers also took part in the discussions. Their participation is intended to help clarify outstanding issues and prepare the necessary follow-up measures.The regency administration's support for a legal resolution does not, however, mean that ownership of the land has already been determined. A final decision must still be based on land records, relevant court rulings and the statutory responsibilities of the institutions authorised to handle the matter.
Establishing the land's legal status therefore remains a key part of the ongoing discussions. A comprehensive review is intended to ensure that the process proceeds in an orderly manner and provides legal certainty for the parties concerned.
Commission A of the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives is planning further action. This includes sending a letter to the head of Deli Serdang Regency and holding a direct meeting with the official to discuss progress in efforts to secure legal certainty over the land claims of residents represented by MARWALI-21.
The commission also intends to visit the National Land Agency office in Deli Serdang Regency for further discussions. In addition, a meeting with the Governor of North Sumatra is planned to advance efforts to accelerate a resolution of the land dispute.These planned measures follow previous discussions involving the regency administration, land authorities, residents' representatives and their legal advisers. Through continued engagement between institutions, the North Sumatra Regional House of Representatives aims to obtain more detailed information on progress towards clarifying the land rights in Sampali Village.
The Deli Serdang Regency Administration said it would continue to follow the discussions within the scope of its authority. Meanwhile, the follow-up measures planned by Commission A are intended to strengthen cooperation with the regency administration and the relevant land authorities.The land dispute involving the former HGU concession in Sampali Village still requires careful consideration. The main priorities are legal certainty, a clear determination of the land's status and clarification of the responsibilities of the institutions involved. The further steps planned by Commission A form part of the ongoing process to find a resolution in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Edi Saputra | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
