BLITAR – A dispute over the planned construction of a Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP) project at an elementary school in Blitar has entered a new phase after village officials agreed to delay the development.
The controversy centered on plans to build the KDMP facility at SDN Tegalrejo 01 in Selopuro District. Local residents and education observers previously raised concerns because the school remains active and still serves students.
Zaenal Fanani, head of Tegalrejo Village, said the village administration no longer insists on building the project inside the school area. Instead, officials hope the Blitar regency government can provide alternative land for the project.
“I am not insisting that the project must stand there. We are waiting for the regional government to facilitate land for this KDMP project,” Zaenal said on Monday.
According to him, the main issue now involves the legal status and management of village-owned assets used by other government institutions. He explained that available village land faces restrictions because of protected agricultural zoning regulations.
The village currently struggles with land classified as Sustainable Food Agricultural Land and Protected Rice Field areas. Those regulations limit the use of village-owned land for non-agricultural development projects.
Zaenal said village leaders and associations of village officials plan to hold another hearing with Commission I of the Blitar Regional Legislative Council. The discussion will focus on village asset regulations and land management policies.
He believes earlier discussions with Commission IV mostly focused on education issues because the KDMP project involved school property. Meanwhile, broader questions surrounding village assets did not receive detailed attention.
“What we want to clarify now is the issue of village assets. Many village assets are used by other government agencies, but the legal status and regulations still need explanation,” he said.
Zaenal stressed that the planned hearing does not aim to force construction at SDN Tegalrejo 01. Instead, village officials want legal clarity regarding asset ownership and management.
He also hopes the Blitar regency administration can prepare alternative land for the cooperative project. According to him, Tegalrejo Village no longer has suitable land available for development.
Despite the ongoing dispute, Zaenal said the KDMP project remains important for strengthening the rural economy and supporting cooperative development in villages.
“There are still other villages that also do not have land for KDMP projects. For now, we will continue following future developments,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Rijanto declined to comment further on the controversy. He appeared cautious about making public statements after a similar KDMP project in Tlogo Village drew attention because developers built it near another elementary school.
“I cannot answer further regarding that matter,” Rijanto said briefly.
The KDMP program forms part of a broader national strategic initiative aimed at strengthening village-based economic institutions across Indonesia.