Batak musician arrested in Sumatra for defending traditional lands
The arrest of Sorbatua Siallagan has sparked protests from indigenous communities, who call for his release. The case stems from government permits to PT Toba Pulp Lestari, which has been making pulp and paper since the 1980s near Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world. Indonesian Human Rights Commission calls for an end to legal proceedings.
Jakarta (AsiaNews) – Sorbatua Siallagan, a traditional musician, has been in jail since March in North Sumatra for defending Batak ancestral land. The indigenous community has been living in the area for eleven generations, from the 19th century to the present day, while the authorities granted the land to a private company.
Since the 1980s, the company, PT Toba Pulp Lestari, has built pulp and paper plants near Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world. as a result, local ecosystems and communities have been impacted by deforestation and the planting of eucalyptus trees.
Members of the Ompu Umbak Siallagan indigenous community in Simalungun Regency gathered in front of a police station in Medan to demand Sorbatua Siallagan’s release.
The musician, community leader in Dolok Parmonangan, is considered by many people to be first among equals who has spoken up for people who have seen their lands, environment, and traditional society (masyarakat adat) negatively impacted.
Sorbatua’s traditional land is located on the border with Sihaporas, a subdistrict in Pematang Sidamanik, this according to Domu Ambarita, a journalist originally from North Sumatra who works for a newspaper in Jakarta.
“During the Dutch colonial era, the area was used by the administration and legally recognised by the Dutch in a document titled Enclave 1916, 29 years before Indonesian independence on 17 August 1945,” he told AsiaNews.
Traditional Batak land, which covers some 2,053 hectares, is registered with the Customary Area Registration Agency (BRWA)[*] since 9 September 2019.
The National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM)[†] is monitoring Sorbatua Siallagan’s trial. Its Commissioner, Saurlin P. Siagian, has attended court proceedings, and is on record demanding a stop to trial.
Siallagan was arrested following a complaint by PT Toba Pulp Lestari. On 23 June 2023, the company filed a lawsuit against the 65-year-old for allegedly engaging in hostile acts with locals such as cutting down eucalyptus trees and setting fire to the land granted to the company.
The arrest follows allegations by law enforcement agencies that he incited hatred against the pulp company.
Sorbatua Siallagan’s case is not isolated. "There have been at least 31 legal cases over traditional land," Saurlin P. Siagian said. “After a briefing by the Simalungun District Court chief, Komnas HAM strongly calls for the Siallagan’s release.”
The Commission is involved in other lawsuits defending ancestral lands against the Indonesian Ministry of Forests and Environment, urging Indonesian authorities to ensure the lands’ conservation.
Nusantara Traditional Tano Batak (AMAN) spokesperson Hengky Manalu slammed Sorbatua Siallagan's trial, calling it unfair, against the interests of the local population and their traditional customs.
A spokesperson for PT Toba Pulp Lestari responded to the defendant and Komnas HAM’s claims, saying that the traditional Ompu Umbak Siallagan never existed.
"There is no such name in any customary land claim,” said Salomo Sitohang, who represents the company's interests. “At present, we only have 10 claims and those disputes have been appropriately dealt with and resolved.”
[*] Badan Registrasi Wilayah Adat.
[†] Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia.
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