BATAMCLICK.COM: Amid a large crowd gathered on Sunday morning in Batam, Mayor Amsakar Achmad once again reaffirmed his commitment to resolving the long-standing issue of land legality and certification for Batam’s traditional villages. This promise, he said, is not mere political rhetoric, but a responsibility he has carried since the beginning of his tenure.
“This has been our commitment from the start. We reaffirm this promise in front of thousands of witnesses. But I must be honest — this is not something that can be solved overnight. It takes time and process,” said Amsakar.
He explained that the legalization process would be carried out in stages, with attention to the legal status of each area. Amsakar distinguished between villages untouched by land allocation or legal disputes, and those already entangled in land transactions or allocations to third parties.
“For villages that have never been allocated to outsiders and have no transactions, God willing, we will resolve them. But if there have been land sales or if business entities hold land allocations (PL), the solution must go through legal channels,” he added.
Meanwhile, Raja Muhammad Amin, Chairman of the Batam Malay Customary Institution (LAM), warned that delays in resolving the status of traditional villages could tarnish Batam’s image as a “Malay Land.”
“Please expedite the legalization of traditional villages in both the mainland and hinterland,” he urged.
He expressed concern that the lack of official recognition could extend beyond national borders and harm Batam’s cultural identity.
“I was born and raised in Tanjung Umar. That is my family’s land, the land of the traditional people. Don’t let us be unrecognized while the world watches,” he said.
Currently, there are 37 traditional village sites across Batam, most of which still lack official land certificates.
By Antara
