Surabaya – A land dispute erupted between civilians and the Army in Sukorejo village, Buduran district, Sidoarjo, East Java. On Friday, December 1, residents gathered at the disputed land occupied by the Army. The East Java House Commission A accompanied the people during the attempted reoccupation of the land by men and some old women. However, Army guard units from the Arhanudse-8 Battalion prevented the land seizure.

Local residents accuse the Army of stealing their land. During the New Order era, the aggrieved villagers did not have the courage to force their demands. However, during the reform era, the people feel empowered and are determined to retake their land.

However, the Brawijaya Military Command Maj. Gen. Sudi Silalahi denied the accusation. He claimed that the Indonesian Military (TNI) took the land from the Japanese government after World War II. The Army completed the land ownership process in accordance with regulation, not arbitrarily. "We received the land from Japan and the Indonesian government gave it to the Army," he told the press.

He also claimed that the people received compensation. The Army now uses the land for the Army's Weapons and Ammunition Warehouse. The Indonesian Army Headquarters, not the Brawijaya Military Command in East Java, directly manages the warehouse.

Therefore, the Brawijaya Military Command does not have authority to solve the problem. He urged the community not to illegally reoccupy the land. "Don't take the land arbitrarily. Let us discuss the problem," he said.