Tegal Binangun, July 26, 2023 – Dozens of residents from Tegal Binangun held a demonstration in front of the South Sumatra Governor’s office on Wednesday (July 26, 2023), as a form of protest against the plan to include their area in Banyuasin Regency. The number of participants in the demonstration ranged from 500 to 750 people.
The demonstration, organized by the Taman Sasana Patra and Patra Abadi United Community Forum, demanded that the Ministry of Home Affairs revise Regulation No. 134/2022 to allow them to remain part of the Palembang City area.
During the protest, the demonstrators even brought a funeral bier with various writings expressing their desire to remain residents of Palembang. The Field Coordinator, Zainal Abidin, stated that they were not asking for money or basic necessities, only to remain citizens of Palembang as stated in their family cards (KK) and identity cards (KTP).
One of the residents, Eva, revealed that she has been living in Patra Complex for 10 years, and her identity is still registered as a resident of Banyuasin, although she hopes to remain a citizen of Palembang.
However, Banyuasin Regent, H Askolani Jasi, firmly stated that based on Government Regulation No. 23 of 1988 and Regulation No. 134 of 2022 from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tegal Binangun is indeed part of Banyuasin Regency. He also emphasized that all parties must comply with the existing decision. Any administrative activities or claims of identity from the Palembang City area in Tegal Binangun may face legal action.
The Chairman of the Taman Sasana Patra and Patra Abadi Community Forum, Suhardi Suhai, refuted the results of the meeting between the Banyuasin Regency Government, Palembang City Government, and the National Land Agency (ATR BPN) that declared Tegal Binangun as part of Banyuasin Regency. According to him, there was no definite decision made during the meeting regarding whether Tegal Binangun belongs to the Palembang or Banyuasin area. He stated that further negotiations are still ongoing.
Despite the meeting’s decision to include Tegal Binangun in Banyuasin Regency, the Palembang City Government will pursue a legal course of action by filing a judicial review with the Supreme Court regarding the status of Tegal Binangun.
With the situation escalating, the ongoing debate about the status of Tegal Binangun’s territory between Palembang City and Banyuasin Regency is attracting public attention and concern. The authorities are expected to find an appropriate solution to address the aspirations of the Tegal Binangun residents and achieve a fair resolution to the issue.