Translated by Rojak Nurhawan – RMI

Jagaraksa, November 21-22, 2013

A total of 56 People’s Legal Aid Assistants (PHR) or in other terms Community Mobilizers from representatives of Indigenous and Local Communities in the Banten Region gathered to learn about the law on Natural Resource Management for two days. This shared learning process was named RIUNG MUNGPULUNG, which means gathering and sharing knowledge and experiences related to customary law that had been practiced in daily life. The event took on the theme “Ngaraketkeun Kaduluran pikeun Ningkatkeun Karaharjaan dina Ngokoolakeun Lemah Cai,” which translates to Strengthening Brotherhood to Improve Welfare in Land and Water Management. The activity was facilitated by RMI together with HuMA.
Participants included representatives from the Indigenous Community of Citorek with 4 people, the Indigenous Community of Cirompang with 4 people, the Indigenous Community of Karang as the host with 38 people from Lebak Regency. Also present were representatives from the Friends of Ujung Kulon in Pandeglang with 3 people, and the People’s Work Committee in Serang with 2 people. Apart from indigenous and local communities, there were also representatives from the Muncang Sub-District Government of Lebak Regency with 2 people. The learning process was conducted in a relaxed and serious atmosphere, using an adult learning approach (Pedagogy) that focused on experiences and case studies experienced by participants, demonstrated through role-playing and case studies, promoting the principle of no teacher and no student, with participants also acting as resource persons.
The common issue that caught the attention of these PHRs or Community Mobilizers was the conflict in Natural Resource Management in the Banten Region. In the Lebak and Pandeglang Regencies, there were tenurial conflicts between Communities versus the Gunung Halimun Salak National Park and the Ujung Kulon National Park. As for Serang Regency, the conflicts involved the residents of Sangiang Island versus the Protected Areas and the planned implementation of the Indonesian Economic Development Acceleration Master Plan (MP3EI). Another important issue was the Freedom to Practice Religious Beliefs and Faith that occurred in the Karang Indigenous Community. The two-day event featured 2 speakers, namely Siti Aminah from ILRC (Indonesian Legal Right Children), who provided insights on the Freedom to Practice Religious Beliefs and Faith, and Mumu Muhajir from the Epistema Institute, who elaborated on Legal Pluralism, the Position of Community Law within State Law in Natural Resource Management, and legal options in resolving Agrarian conflicts, especially related to Forest Resource Management.
After two days of enlightenment and capacity building, participants agreed on several follow-up agendas to be carried out in their respective communities. The outlined follow-up agendas are as follows:
1. The Indigenous Community of Citorek will strengthen PHRs or Community Mobilizers to actively participate in the Advocacy process for the Recognition of the Citorek Indigenous Community in Lebak Regency.
2. The Indigenous Community of Cirompang will strengthen indigenous youth as mobilizer cadres, reassess potentials, and redocument local regulations in Forest Resource Management.
3. The Indigenous Community of Karang will carry out Mapping of Customary Land Rights, Redocument local regulations, and develop a Customary Territory Spatial Plan.
4. The Friends of Ujung Kulon will strengthen the people’s organization network and disseminate the activity results.
5. The People’s Work Committee in Serang will advocate for the People of Sangiang Island.
In addition to the aforementioned follow-up agendas, the participants also drafted a Petition in support of the civil society movement to conduct a Judicial Review (JR) of the Law on Prevention and Eradication of Forest Destruction (UU P3H). Additionally, all participants expressed their desire for the establishment of a farmer network or forum in the Banten Region.