Facts of the GRIB Jaya Case Occupying BMKG Land

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The mass organization Gerakan Rakyat Indonesia Bersatu Jaya (GRIB Jaya) has once again come under the spotlight after being reported for occupying land belonging to the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) in Pondok Aren, South Tangerang, Banten. The land dispute case continued with the arrest of 17 members of the organization by the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Prior to this, BMKG had reported GRIB Jaya to the Metro Jaya Regional Police and requested security assistance for the institution's land assets covering an area of 127,780 square meters. This was revealed by the Acting Head of the Legal, Public Relations, and Cooperation Bureau of BMKG, Akhmad Taufan Maulana.

"BMKG requests assistance from the authorities to regulate the GRIB Jaya organization that has been occupying and utilizing BMKG's state land assets without rights," Taufan said in Jakarta on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, as quoted from Antara report.

Here is the latest information and facts related to the land dispute case.

17 People Arrested

The Metro Jaya Regional Police arrested 17 members of GRIB Jaya who were suspected of occupying BMKG land in Pondok Aren, South Tangerang. Out of the 17 individuals, six of them claimed to be heirs to the land.

"17 people, 11 of whom are members of the GRIB Jaya organization, one of whom is identified as Y, who is the Chairman of the DPC of the GRIB Jaya organization in Tangsel, and six others who claim to be heirs to this land," said the Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Commissioner Ade Ary Syam Indradi in Tangerang, Saturday, May 24, 2025.

During the securing of the disputed land location, the Metro Jaya Regional Police confiscated several pieces of evidence such as sharp weapons and parking tickets used by the organization members for personal gain. "Several attributes were found, including parking tickets from the GRIB Jaya organization, as well as their attributes and flags. Sharp weapons were also found. There is also evidence of money transfers from the two tenants to Y," he said.

Up to now, the investigators of the Metro Jaya Regional Police are still delving into the case of land occupation to uncover the masterminds behind the control of the land.

GRIB Jaya Allegedly Demanded Rp 5 Billion

Taufan mentioned that the leaders of the GRIB Jaya organization demanded compensation of Rp 5 billion as a condition to stop the occupation at the disputed location. They conveyed this during a meeting between both parties.

According to Taufan, prior to reporting to the police, BMKG still sought to resolve the issue through persuasive means by coordinating across various institutions, starting from the neighborhood and community levels, the police, and direct meetings with the organization and those claiming to be heirs.

In response to this news, a member of the Legal and Advocacy Team of Grib Jaya, Hika T.A Putra, stated that they had confirmed with the Central Board of the GRIB Jaya regarding the allegation of demanding Rp 5 billion. "As a result of our confirmation, there has been no mention of Rp 5 billion," said Hika in a GRIB Jaya YouTube broadcast on Friday, May 23, 2025. Tempo has obtained permission to quote the broadcast.

GRIB Jaya Claims Land Occupation to Defend the Community

GRIB Jaya stated that the land occupation was carried out by their organization to defend the heirs and the community who have occupied the land covering an area of 127,780 square meters. The Head of the Legal and Advocacy Team of GRIB Jaya, Wilson Colling, also mentioned that the land dispute has been ongoing for two years and has been handled by their team.

"The advocacy team did not immediately take on the case. We have examined all the data and documents to provide legal defense," said Wilson.

Wilson claimed that the root of the land dispute dated back to 1992. However, there is no concrete court ruling stating that the community or heirs occupying the land should vacate the premises. "There is no order (from the court) for eviction," he said.

In addition, Wilson also questioned the police's action in arresting some of their members. He stated that the allegations of thuggery in the case are unfounded. He also mentioned that in this case, GRIB Jaya represents the heirs. "The rapid arrest of GRIB Jaya members, without any effort at mediating or resolving the basic conflict related to the rights of the heirs and the legality of BMKG's claims, raises significant questions," he said.

Land Controlled by GRIB Jaya and Rented Out

According to Taufan, security disturbances on the land have been ongoing for almost two years and have hindered the construction plans for the BMKG Archive Building. Construction of the building began in November 2023, but was disrupted by a group claiming to be heirs to the land and certain affiliated organization members.

They forced the workers to halt construction activities, removed heavy equipment from the site, and covered the project board with the claim "Land Owned by Heirs." Furthermore, the organization established a post and stationed their members permanently on site, and some of the land was rented out to third parties and buildings have been erected on it.

During a search of the GRIB Jaya post at the disputed location, the police found evidence of transfers from tenants. The Head of Public Relations of the Metro Jaya Regional Police, Commissioner Ade Ary Syam Indradi, stated that from the checks on the land, there were buildings rented out by the organization to local businesses.

"They gave permission to several parties, local entrepreneurs like fried catfish vendors, and sellers of sacrificial animals. These were collected directly by them," he said.

He mentioned that the activity of granting permission from the organization to set up stalls for the businesses had generated tens of millions of rupiah in profits. "The catfish stall was collected at Rp 3.5 million per month. Then from the traders of sacrificial animals, they collected Rp 22 million. So, these two victims transferred directly to the GRIB Jaya member called Y," he said.

Minister of Agrarian Affairs Takes Action

The Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) Nusron Wahid stated that they would soon check the status of the BMKG land in the Pondok Betung Village, South Tangerang City, Banten, occupied by GRIB Jaya. Nusron emphasized that no organization should claim land ownership without strong evidence, especially if the land is state-owned (BMN).

"We will check this issue, and we will provide further information as soon as possible. Actions such as this, occupation processes like this by any organization and by anyone are not permissible, especially if it involves BMN or state-owned property, or if it involves the ownership of others, it is not allowed," Nusron said in response to questions from reporters when he was met at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Friday.

Nusron stated that if there are claims of ownership of the land, the claimants must provide evidence. If there is a dispute, those involved in the dispute are obligated to resolve the matter in court. He also mentioned that if there are claims to be heirs, BPN will also check the land deeds. "Rampant action like this is not allowed," he said.

Palace Response

The State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi stated that he was not aware of the news about the GRIB Jaya organization occupying BMKG land. However, Prasetyo said that the police have been carrying out measures to eradicate thuggery for the past two weeks.

"Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, along with all his staff, has massively carried out the eradication of thuggery," he said at the Presidential Palace complex, Central Jakarta, on Friday, May 23, 2025.

Prasetyo mentioned that from the enforcement, many forms of thuggery were found. Thuggery was committed individually and in groups. These groups were presented in the form of community organizations and business organizations. "They range from those wearing ties to those not wearing anything," he said.

Hammam Izzuddin, Linda Lestari, and Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.

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