The Implementation of Agrarian Reform by the Siak Regency Agrarian Reform Task Force from a Collaborative Governance Perspective

Abstract

Agrarian reform is one of the Indonesian government's strategic agendas to achieve equitable land distribution, reduce agrarian conflicts, and improve public welfare. To support its implementation, the government established the Agrarian Reform Task Force (Gugus Tugas Reforma Agraria—GTRA) as a cross-sectoral coordination forum that integrates multiple stakeholders in the provision of Agrarian Reform Object Land (Tanah Objek Reforma Agraria—TORA), agrarian conflict resolution, asset restructuring, and access reform. This study aims to analyze the implementation of collaborative governance within the Siak Regency GTRA in carrying out agrarian reform by employing the collaborative governance framework developed by Ansell and Gash (2008). The study adopts a qualitative approach using a case study design. Data were collected through document analysis of the Siak Regency GTRA implementation reports for 2021, 2022, and 2024, relevant laws and regulations, as well as interviews with key informants involved in the implementation of GTRA. Data were analyzed using a descriptive-analytical approach by examining the implementation of the six principal characteristics of collaborative governance: initiated by public agencies or institutions, participants include non-state actors, participants engage directly in decision making, consensus-oriented decision making, formal and organized collective forum, and focus on public policy or public management. The findings indicate that the implementation of collaborative governance within the Siak Regency GTRA fulfills all of these characteristics. The GTRA functions as a collaborative forum capable of integrating government agencies, academics, customary institutions, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders in the implementation of agrarian reform through formal coordination mechanisms, direct stakeholder participation in decision-making processes, and consensus-oriented deliberation. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of this collaborative arrangement still requires further strengthening, particularly by expanding grassroots community participation and enhancing cross-sectoral coordination to ensure that agrarian reform is implemented in a more inclusive, effective, and sustainable.