The Indigenous People Bill is considered a concrete form of the constitutional mandate to protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

TEMPO.CO, Banjarmasin – Indigenous figure of the Dayak community in the Meratus Mountains, Central Hulu Sungai Regency, South Kalimantan, Harnilis, stated that the Meratus Indigenous People are ready to defend and protect their customary land from becoming state-owned conservation areas. Harnilis responded to the central and regional government’s efforts to designate the Meratus Mountains as a National Park or conservation area.

According to Harnilis, the plan to designate the Meratus customary land as a National Park is considered to violate the traditional rights of Indigenous Peoples. “The forest is not just where we live, but it is part of life itself. If taken away, we lose everything,” said Harnilis in a statement received by Tempo on Thursday, April 17, 2025.

He emphasized that the Indigenous Peoples of the Meratus Mountains who currently inhabit their customary land are able to ensure their livelihood needs independently, such as clothing, food, shelter, medicines, drinking water, and others. Therefore, Harnilis stated that the Meratus Indigenous Peoples view the customary land in the Meratus Mountains as a living space inseparable from their lives.

Harnilis mentioned that to manage the natural resources of the Meratus Mountains, especially in Central Hulu Sungai Regency, the Indigenous Peoples work together harmoniously, involving both men and women, old and young, in preserving various cultures that have been passed down through generations.

“There is no stronger party between men and women, all are strong and important. We will not succeed in farming, cultivating, or holding events without both,” said Harnilis.

Academic from IPB University, Rina Mardiana, stated that Indigenous Peoples are autochthonous communities, meaning they have a strong historical and cultural connection to a specific area, and have their own legal, social, and economic systems that differ from surrounding communities.

“They have traditional rights to land and natural resources, as well as the right to self-govern. They are not remnants of the state or former kingdoms,” Rina emphasized.

Based on this, according to Rina, the Indigenous Peoples Bill is a concrete form of the constitutional mandate. “Without this law, recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights remains sectoral, slow, discriminatory, and prone to conflict,” said Rina Mardiana.

Erwin from the HuMa Association added that based on the minutes of the amendment session of the 1945 Constitution, it can be concluded that the term traditional rights is meant to make the understanding of traditional rights flexible. “Because until the end of the ratification of Article 18B paragraph (2), the scope of traditional rights was not agreed upon in detail,” Erwin said.

Erwin argued that in addition to the original intent of the phrase traditional rights, it can be a reference for formulating Indigenous Peoples’ rights in the Indigenous Peoples Bill.

Furthermore, he said that various existing norms and situations faced by Indigenous Peoples are other references. “The Indigenous Peoples Act must clarify the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples, ensure that these rights are human rights, and make the State responsible for respecting, fulfilling, and protecting these rights,” Erwin emphasized.

The urgency of the Indigenous Peoples Bill is also voiced by Triawan Umbu Uli Mekahati from Koppesda Sumba. He stated that the Indigenous Peoples have made various efforts to ensure that the position of Indigenous Peoples receives complete protection and recognition. “But without national regulations, we are only treated as obstacles to development,” said Triawan, known as Umbu Tri.

Umbu Tri added that the Indigenous Peoples in East Sumba practice good resource management to ensure sustainability. The utilization of natural resources is controlled through customary institutional systems and decision-making mechanisms, such as customary consultations, to avoid excessive exploitation of natural resources.

In the Forest Watch Indonesia’s notes, the Indigenous Peoples Bill is a draft law aimed at recognizing, protecting, and guaranteeing the rights of Indigenous Peoples, including rights to land, natural resources, culture, and customary institutions. Proposed since 2009, this bill has repeatedly entered the National Legislation Program, but has yet to be enacted. In 2024, it re-entered the 2025 National Legislation Program. Despite its importance for Indigenous Peoples, the enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Bill is still pending due to political and economic interests.

For the full news, you can visit the following link: https://www.tempo.co/politik/masyarakat-adat-dayak-tolak-pegunungan-meratus-jadi-taman-nasional-1232466