Regulatory Challenges in Absentee Land Ownership: Critical Lessons from Sawarna Village, Lebak, Banten

The persistence of absentee land ownership underscores a critical challenge in Indonesia’s agrarian system. The research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the legal prohibition on absentee land ownership in Sawarna Village and its implications for the rights and welfare of local farmers. Utilizing an empirical juridical approach with a structural approach, the study collects primary data through interviews with key stakeholders, including local farmers, community leaders, and officials from the National Land Agency. The findings reveal that absentee land ownership in Sawarna Village persists due to weak enforcement of agrarian laws, economic vulnerability of local farmers, and speculative land acquisitions by external investors. These practices have reduced agricultural land availability, marginalized local farmers, and disrupted community cohesion. Furthermore, the study highlights gaps in institutional coordination and limited community involvement in land governance, which exacerbate the problem. This research underscores the need for stronger legal enforcement, community empowerment, and collaborative policy reform to ensure sustainable and equitable land use in rural areas. By addressing absentee land ownership, the government can advance the principles of agrarian reform and foster inclusive economic development.