Peasants' Resistance to State-Owned Enterprises: Learning from an Indonesian Social Movement

Abstract

This study analyzes factors that triggered the land-ownership struggle for the Titi Tsoro forest area, the Rights for Cultivation Use  and to analyze the various differences in interests related to the land’s ownership as a major community resource or a production asset for national plantation company named as PTPN XII.  This research is qualitative in nature and applies social movement theory. The informants for this research were the conflicting parties. Data were collected using observations, interviews, and documentation. The analysis went through four steps, namely data collection, data filtering, data classification, and conclusions. Results show The settlement of this agrarian conflict has pursued both legal and non-legal means. Various efforts have been made by both parties to arrive at a mutually beneficial solution for both parties, but these efforts have so far failed to find a suitable mutual agreement. Over time, this agrarian conflict has received encouragement and support from various political organizations, such as political parties, legislative institutions, and the ruling elite, who may support the community in order to gain public popularity and secure votes.   The more parties that are involved in a conflict, the more difficult it is to resolve it. Negotiations and legal efforts have not been able to overcome this difficulty in this case. A new approach is needed that incorporates customary arbitration that has power over the law.