UCA News
Contribute

Church welcomes move against Indonesian 'land mafia'

Police task force aims to take on grabbers and cronies who snatch from local communities what is rightfully theirs
Church welcomes move against Indonesian 'land mafia'

Suspects in the Labuan Bajo land graft case are escorted from El Tari Airport in Kupang, capital of East Nusa Tenggara province, on Jan. 14. (Photo supplied)

Published: March 04, 2021 07:11 AM GMT
Updated: March 04, 2021 07:13 AM GMT

Just a week before leaving the post he had held for two terms, Agustinus Ch. Dula, the West Manggarai district chief on Indonesia's predominantly Catholic island of Flores, was accused of graft over the sale of public land.

With 19 other accused, including several of his subordinates, he is on trial at the Corruption Crime Court in Kupang, the provincial capital of East Nusa Tenggara province, charged with misappropriating around 1.3 trillion rupiah (US$9.2 million).

According to the indictment, 30 hectares of land in Kerangan near the district capital of Labuan Bajo, obtained from local community leaders in 1997, had been partly sold in a shady deal.

Dula, a Catholic, is accused of taking bribes to sell the land, which involved brokers, including two Italians who are also accused. 

Click here to read the full article

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia