On June 10, 2025, Kerajaan Jambu Lipo’s customary community will passionately present their case before the Sijunjung Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) during a Rapat Dengar Pendapat. They urged the adoption of a Peraturan Daerah (Perda), or regional regulation, to formally recognize their status as a Masyarakat Hukum Adat (MHA). Represented by the Pewaris Rajo Tigo Selo and led by Tuanku Rajo Godang, the community from Lubuk Tarok, Sijunjung, submitted a comprehensive aspiration document, initially filed on May 24, 2025. Their mission is to preserve their cultural heritage, secure traditional land rights, and actively contribute to Sijunjung’s development. Speaking from his office in Jakarta, Mr. E T Hadi Saputra, legal advisor to Jambu Lipo, emphasized the urgency of this legal recognition to protect the community’s rights and identity.
This push is more than a bureaucratic step. For Kerajaan Jambu Lipo, whose history dates back to the 10th century, it’s a battle to safeguard their identity. Their distinctive “Rajo Tigo Selo” leadership structure—consisting of Rajo Alam, Rajo Adat, and Rajo Ibadat—reflects a profound wisdom that harmonizes relationships with the divine, fellow humans, and nature. The Istana Kelambu Suto remains a lively center for adat ceremonies and community decisions. Their ancestral territory, “Rantau nan XII Koto,” spans Sijunjung, Dharmasraya, and Solok Selatan, serving as the heart of their collective identity. Without legal protection, they fear modernization could erase their ancestral traditions.
The community proposed a Perda with clear components. They call for an independent Panitia MHA to manage the recognition process. They seek formal acknowledgment of their “Rantau nan XII Koto” ulayat land through participatory mapping. Strengthening adat institutions, resolving disputes via musyawarah, and promoting economic and cultural empowerment are top priorities. They also stress the need for APBD funding and a participatory monitoring system to ensure the Perda’s success.
Challenges include wavering political commitment, limited budgets, and potential land disputes. The community offers solutions: building DPRD consensus, accessing APBN and CSR funds, and conducting transparent mapping. They also emphasize extensive public outreach to address misconceptions.
They urge the DPRD to act swiftly—form a special committee, hold inclusive public consultations, and coordinate across districts for their cross-border ulayat. DPRD oversight is crucial for the Perda’s impact. “We are ready to collaborate for a just and cultured Sijunjung,” Tuankei Rajo Godang declared, echoing the Minangkabau spirit of unity: saciok bak ayam, sadanciang bak basi. Mr. E T Hadi Saputra added from Jakarta, “This Perda is a critical step to ensure the Jambu Lipo community’s rights are legally protected and their cultural legacy endures.”
Written by Tanah Merdeka News Desk
Contact: redaksi@tanahmerdeka.com
