By: Ferdi, Bumi Lestari Institute
PARTNERSHIP with the Bumi Lestari Institute (LBL) through the ESTUNGKARA program supported by INKLUSI continues to strive to fight for the policy of recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples in East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. This effort was marked by the implementation of workshops formation of a working team in order to promote the policy of recognizing indigenous communities in East Sumba.
This activity took place at the Cendana II Hotel, Waingapu, East Sumba. The purpose of this activity is to build a shared understanding stakeholders such as the East Sumba Regency Government, the East Sumba DPRD, and non-governmental organization (NGO) in East Sumba. Through this activity, it is expected to produce several recommendations or concrete proposals that can be used as a reference by the local government regarding the recognition of indigenous peoples.
This event was also attended by representatives of the East Sumba Regency Government, Adi Pandarangga, Director of Aman Sumba and Lecturer at the Faculty of Higher Education, Wira Wacana Christian University (Unkriswina) Umbu Pajaru Lombu, and representatives of NGOs, namely from the Sumba Koppesda Foundation, Tryawan Umbu Mehakati.
LBL Director Stef Landu Paranggi said in his speech that this activity was a follow-up to the recommendations of indigenous peoples during the dialogue with regional head candidates in November 2024. To follow up on the results of the dialogue activity, LBL held a dialogue with the regional government, the East Sumba DPRD, East Sumba NGOs, and universities in East Sumba.
"In this activity we refer to the Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs No. 52 of 2014 concerning the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Peoples. Based on that, it is deemed necessary to form a working team at the district level to recognize the rights of Indigenous Peoples," he said.
Meanwhile, East Sumba DPRD Member Umbu Tamu Ridi who attended the event promised to oversee the policy of recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples. He said he had been involved in efforts to fight for the rights of indigenous peoples in East Sumba before sitting in parliament.
"Now I have sat as a people's representative in East Sumba Regency. I will oversee and work together with NGO friends who are fighting for the rights of indigenous peoples in East Sumba Regency," he said.
The representative of the indigenous community of Mbatakapidu Village who was present expressed his gratitude for the holding of this activity. He said that until now the people of Mbatakapidu Village have not been able to enjoy various public facilities such as electricity and internet networks. Even though these services are very much needed. He said that since long ago officials have only promised to provide electricity and internet services but there has been no realization.
"We as the indigenous people of Mbatakapidu Village are very grateful to Bumi Lestari for facilitating this activity and fighting for our rights as civil society, especially Mbatakapidu Village and other villages that are assisted by LBL," he said.
The results of this activity include the Regional Government and the DPRD of East Sumba Regency supporting the formation of the team and agreeing to draft regional regulations on the recognition of indigenous communities.
Then, the East Sumba Environmental Service also agreed to prepare funds to form a working team for the registration of indigenous peoples' rights as a reference to encourage the formation of regional regulations on the recognition of indigenous peoples.
Furthermore, the advocacy team consisting of LBL, SID, Koppesda, Pelita Foundation, Sopan Sumba, Aman Sumba, and UNKRISWINA will prepare a draft of the regent's regulation on the recognition of indigenous communities.
