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ATARAM: The Mandalika special economic zone (KEK) in Central Lombok has seen its land problem cleared up and the Agrarian and Spatial Planning Ministry has issued the land utilization certificate (HPL) to state-owned KEK Mandalika operator, PT ITDC.

West Nusa Tenggara Legal Aid Institute (LBH NTB) director Basri Mulyani said the land dispute with locals was now “clear and clean”.

Basri welcomed the government’s policy to give money to locals who claimed some areas in the special zone. Some locals reportedly run cattle in some of the areas.

Last week, Agrarian and Spatial Planning Minister Sofyan Djalil said the KEK Mandalika land dispute had been settled and ITDC now held the valid HPL certificate.

“All legal problems have been ironed out,” he said.

The West Nusa Tenggara Legislative Council also welcomed the solution to compensate locals. “I’m happy with the decision, I hope the dispute is now settled,” said councillor Baiq Isyie Rupaedah on Tuesday.

West Nusa Tenggara Police chief Brig. Gen. Umar Septono said the locals had accepted the compensation. “We call for the people to build West Nusa Tenggara together,” he said. — JP