The West Lombok Regency Government plans to seize several abandoned investment lands that have been left idle by investors, despite having been granted official permits. West Lombok Regent Lalu Ahmad Zaini (LAZ) confirmed the move, targeting unused plots in Sekotong and Batu Layar districts.
“These lands are linked to unpaid Land and Building Taxes. They haven’t been paid for years, so I’ve already requested an inventory,” LAZ said on Monday, (8/11/2025), as reported by Detik.
He stressed that the policy applies to all investors in West Lombok. “If they don’t pay, I could declare their land abandoned as well,” he warned.
West Lombok National Land Agency head Putu Juni Swasta explained that land management procedures are governed by Ministerial Regulation ATR/BPN No. 21/2021. Under the regulation, land granted under cultivation rights (HGU) or building rights (HGB) can be legally classified as abandoned if left unused within a certain timeframe. Currently, BPN is inventorying such lands while reviewing the validity periods of each HGU and HGB title.
“Once data is collected and verified, the government will issue two warnings to owners. If they fail to respond, the land will be seized and utilized by the state,” Juni said.
He added that the reclaimed plots will be redistributed to local communities through the regional agrarian reform task force, chaired by the regent.
The crackdown is also underway in East Lombok. East Lombok BPN head Komang Suarta confirmed that abandoned lands — including those with valid HGB, HGU, or even ownership titles — will be subject to enforcement.
Suarta explained that the policy is based on Government Regulation (PP) No. 20/2021 on Procedures for Controlling and Utilizing Abandoned Land and Areas. Initially, enforcement focuses on HGB and HGU lands owned by legal entities.
“These lands become enforcement targets if, within two years after the title is issued, they are not used or developed according to their designated purpose,” Suarta stated, as quoted by SuaraNTB.
For privately owned land (Hak Milik), stricter criteria apply. Land may be deemed abandoned if deliberately unused, unmaintained, and occupied by others for at least 20 years without any legal relationship to the original owner.
East Lombok authorities have already identified several corporate-owned lands flagged as potentially abandoned. Further action will involve coordination between the central government and the East Lombok administration to verify permits and land rights under PP 20/2021.
Minister of ATR: Declaring Land Abandoned Takes 587 Days
Nationally, the process of formally declaring land as abandoned is lengthy. Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning (ATR/BPN) Head Nusron Wahid said it takes 587 days from evaluation to formal declaration under PP 20/2021.
According to him, HGB and HGU lands left unused for two years may be classified as abandoned. The procedure includes evaluation, notification, and three warning letters — with timeframes of 180 days, nine months, 60 days, and 45 days respectively.
“All steps are taken with caution, not carelessly,” Nusron said, noting that reclaimed lands will be handed to the Land Bank for national reserve purposes such as food security, energy projects, and industrial downstreaming.
Source: Detik, SuaraNTB
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
