By: Yael Stefany
PARTNERSHIP with the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas officially started the preparation of the Roadmap for Fulfillment of Rights, Protection, and Empowerment of Indigenous Communities in a kickoff event held at the Mercure Sabang Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday (6/24). This step is an important part of the implementation of the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025–2029, especially in efforts to guarantee the rights and empower indigenous legal communities in a sustainable manner.
This kickoff is an initial space for all stakeholders—from ministries/institutions, civil society organizations, academics, to representatives of indigenous communities—to unite their steps and strengthen their shared commitment in building a policy direction that supports groups that have often been marginalized.
Director of Religion, Culture, Youth, and Sports of Bappenas, Didik Darmanto, emphasized the importance of a collaborative and participatory approach in the preparation of the roadmap. "Non-inclusive development will only widen inequality. Therefore, indigenous peoples must be placed as an important part of the development planning process," he said in the activity report.
This roadmap, Didik continued, will be a cross-sector and cross-institutional guide to strengthen the protection and empowerment of indigenous communities throughout Indonesia. The drafting process will involve a series of focus group discussions (FGDs), public consultations, and direct dialogue with indigenous communities in various regions.
Several figures also attended the talk show session that described the complexity and urgency of recognizing and protecting indigenous legal communities. One of them was Sjamsul Hadi from the Ministry of Culture who revealed the phenomenon of “cultural eruption”—where the younger generation of indigenous peoples began to distance themselves from their cultural identity. “Many are ashamed to use their mother tongue. This is a sign of an identity crisis,” he said.
University of Indonesia academic Suraya Aafif highlighted the importance of a rights-based and respectful approach. “Change is possible, but it must come from indigenous communities themselves. The state must not force modernity by erasing cultural identity,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, Cecep Sanusi from the KAWAL Kasepuhan Forum expressed his hope that this roadmap would be able to open up space for participation for the young indigenous generation. "We need regeneration, and that can only happen if young people are given space to help determine the future of their community."
The event was also attended by more than 20 representatives of ministries and institutions that have had overlapping policies on indigenous peoples, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of ATR/BPN, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, and the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture. All representatives agreed that there are still major challenges in terms of data synchronization, legal certainty over indigenous areas, and limited intervention due to the lack of formal recognition from local governments.
"Registration of customary land, for example, before the new regulation, was only declarative. Now a strong push is needed for local governments to immediately officially determine customary areas," said Suwito, Director of Government Land Regulation, Customary Land and Communal Land, Ministry of ATR/BPN.
Meanwhile, from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Mares Ersan, stated that until now there are only 165 units of Customary Forest Determination Decrees in Indonesia, and this number is considered far from sufficient.
Arman from the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN) reminded that the success of this roadmap is highly dependent on the state's courage to fully recognize the existence of indigenous peoples, both legally (de jure) and in real practice (de facto). "We need strong leadership, not only technocratic, but also partisan," he stressed.
In the future, a series of follow-up activities such as FGDs, multi-stakeholder dialogues, and visits to indigenous communities will be held as part of the process of compiling a more comprehensive roadmap. The final results of this process will be the basis for compiling policies that are responsive, contextual, and based on the real needs of indigenous communities in various regions of Indonesia.
This roadmap is expected to not only be a strategic document, but also a symbol and real instrument of the state in building an inclusive, just, and sovereign Indonesia over its cultural identity and social diversity.
