BALINEWSID.COM, BELU, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) – A land dispute involving Belu Regency Legislative Council (DPRD) Deputy Speaker Januaria Awalde Berek and an elderly widow, Anastasia Lotu, has drawn attention after both sides presented competing claims over a 750-square-meter plot in Wehas Hamlet, Mandeu Village, Raimanuk District, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.

Anastasia claims the land is part of the customary land of the Uma Bei Sesu and Uma Bei Hoar clans, which she says are part of her ancestral lineage. According to Anastasia, her family has cultivated the land for generations since 1826, and the property was handed down to her by her parents in 1973.

She said she was surprised to learn that Januaria allegedly held a land certificate covering the disputed property.

“This land has been cultivated by my ancestors since 1826. After I got married, my parents handed it down to me in 1973, and I have continued to cultivate it. How could Ms. Walde suddenly have a certificate for it?” Anastasia said by telephone on Wednesday (July 22, 2026).

Dispute Dates Back to 2015

According to Anastasia, the land was previously claimed in 2015 by a man identified as Yakobus Bouk, who reportedly sought recognition of ownership through the Rafae Village administration.

The dispute was subsequently addressed through a village-level settlement process in 2016 involving local authorities and law enforcement officers.

Anastasia said the claimant at the time was unable to present documents proving ownership. She, meanwhile, claimed to have evidence of long-standing control and use of the land, including mature crops, a well built by her family in 1973 with the assistance of a German missionary, and land used for the construction of SDK Amahatan in 1980.

The school, she said, was built on land donated by her family to the Astanara Foundation.

She also cited statements from traditional elders who, according to her, were familiar with the history of the property and recognized it as customary land that had been cultivated by her family for generations.

Anastasia said that following the earlier dispute, village officials and police advised her to continue cultivating the land.

“Because I had evidence showing my control over the land, the village head and the police told me to continue farming there,” she said.

The dispute resurfaced on July 1, 2026, when Anastasia and several family members cut down several trees they said had been planted by their family for the renovation of their parents’ old house, which was built in 1962.

According to Anastasia, officers from the Raimanuk Police Sector stopped the activity and took away the cut timber after receiving a report concerning the alleged cutting of trees on land claimed to be covered by a certificate held by Januaria.

“I was shocked because the trees planted by my mother could suddenly not be taken. The police said there was a report that the land had already been certified,” Anastasia said.

Several days later, Anastasia and members of her family were reportedly summoned to the Raimanuk Police Sector to provide statements.

Property Tax Still Paid by Anastasia

Another point raised by Anastasia concerns the payment of land and building tax, known in Indonesia as PBB.

She said the property tax for the disputed land has continued to be paid by her family. According to Anastasia, the tax records were previously registered under the name of her late husband, Benyamin Yos Bou, before being transferred to her name following his death in 2009.

“I have been paying the land tax until now. It used to be under my husband’s name. After he died in 2009, the payments were made under my name,” she said.

Anastasia said she hopes the dispute can be resolved fairly through the proper legal process. She also appealed for legal assistance to help her defend what she considers to be her family’s ancestral land.

“I am only an elderly widow. I hope people who understand the law can help me resolve this matter fairly. I only want to farm on the land inherited from my ancestors without constantly feeling afraid and under pressure,” she said.

Januaria Says She Has Held Certificate Since 2004

Meanwhile, Januaria Awalde Berek confirmed that she had reported Anastasia to the Raimanuk Police Sector over the alleged cutting of a tree on land that she says is legally hers.

Januaria said she has held a land certificate in her own name since 2004. She said the certificate was obtained through the 2004 National Agrarian Operations Project (PRONA), a government land certification program implemented collectively.

Januaria also rejected any suggestion that she had unlawfully taken over Anastasia’s land. She said she purchased the property from Yakobus Bouk through a legally executed sale and purchase deed.

“I do have a land certificate in my own name, which I have held since 2004. I purchased the land from Mr. Yakobus Bouk through a sale and purchase deed,” Januaria said.

She further stated that anyone who believes they have been harmed or disagrees with her claim should pursue the matter through civil legal proceedings.

“If anyone is dissatisfied or disagrees, they can pursue the matter through civil legal proceedings,” she said.

The dispute remains a matter of competing claims between the two sides. The legal ownership of the disputed land will ultimately depend on the validity of the relevant land documents and evidence presented through the appropriate legal process.

This report upholds the presumption of innocence. Allegations and claims made by either party should not be considered established facts or proof of wrongdoing unless and until determined by the competent authorities or a final court decision.