(Singapore, 10.06.2026) A long-running civil dispute involving the ownership of a major palm oil plantation in Indonesia has finally reached its legal conclusion, following a series of court decisions that culminated in a final ruling by Indonesia’s highest judicial authority.
According to a judgment issued by the Medan High Court (Pengadilan Tinggi Medan) on 28 June 2024 under case number 329/PDT/2024/PT MDN, and which has since obtained permanent legal force (Inkracht van Gewijsde), a 12,319-hectare palm oil plantation and its related assets in South Tapanuli Regency, North Sumatra, were legally declared to belong to Indonesian Chinese businessman Karim Tano Tjandra.
The case was brought by Karim Tano Tjandra against PT First Mujur Plantation & Industry and related parties. In its ruling, the court confirmed that the disputed assets — including plantation land, oil palm trees, a palm oil processing mill, workers’ housing, infrastructure and operational permits — are the lawful property of the plaintiff.
The court further ordered the defendants and any parties currently controlling the assets to surrender them to Karim Tano Tjandra immediately upon the judgment taking effect. In addition, the court awarded material damages amounting to IDR 5.41 trillion (app SGD 383 million).
According to the court notice, any government agencies, financial institutions, notaries and commercial entities are prohibited from conducting any transactions, transfers or disposals involving the assets that would be contrary to the court’s ruling. This includes transactions involving Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB), Crude Palm Oil (CPO), Palm Kernel (PK), and other plantation-related assets.
The plantation involved in the dispute is located in Barumun Tengah, North Sumatra, and is regarded as one of the larger palm oil plantation developments in the region. Given the complexity of the land, shareholding and management issues involved, the case has attracted attention within Indonesian business circles for many years.
Sources familiar with the matter said that Karim Tano Tjandra had been involved in Indonesia’s plantation industry for decades and once controlled substantial palm oil assets. However, ownership and control of the plantation later became the subject of prolonged legal disputes and competing claims.
Although the Medan High Court ruled in Karim Tano Tjandra’s favour in 2024, the opposing party subsequently pursued further legal action. The company involved, PT Barumun Agro Sentosa — formerly known as PT First Mujur Plantation & Industry — challenged the ruling through additional court proceedings.
In April 2026, Indonesia’s Supreme Court (Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia) dismissed all claims brought by PT Barumun Agro Sentosa, effectively upholding the earlier decision of the Medan High Court. Following the conclusion of the legal process, Karim Tano Tjandra’s legal team formally announced the outcome in May 2026.
Public records indicate that Karim Tano Tjandra is currently based in Singapore, where he continues to be involved in regional investment and business activities.
The ruling is being viewed as one of the more significant agricultural asset ownership cases in recent years. With Indonesia continuing to attract substantial investment and economic activity, the case has renewed discussion around property rights protection, investor confidence and the role of the legal system in resolving long-standing commercial disputes.
Fortune Times previously interviewed Karim Tano Tjandra in 2014, during which he briefly referred to the unresolved dispute. While the legal proceedings have now concluded, the case itself spans nearly two decades of commercial and ownership conflicts involving multiple legal actions and developments.
Karim Tano Tjandra has not yet publicly commented in detail on the court’s final ruling.
