PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – The commemoration of Hari Kebangkitan Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (HKMAN), observed annually on March 17, has once again become a crucial moment for Indigenous communities across Indonesia to consolidate their movement and renew calls for justice. Beyond symbolic celebration, this year’s observance underscores a pressing demand for the government to immediately pass the long-awaited Indigenous Peoples Bill.
Abah Yoyo Yohenda, a traditional leader of the Cisitu customary community in Lebak, Banten Kidul, emphasized that HKMAN serves as a unifying platform and a communication bridge among Indigenous communities nationwide.
“Since its first commemoration on March 17, 1999, HKMAN has become a space to collectively define our stance toward the government, particularly in ensuring that the principle of unity in diversity is reflected not only in state law but also in the constitution,” he stated.
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A Historical Milestone and Movement Consolidation
HKMAN is rooted in the long history of Indigenous struggles against marginalization. Since the first Indigenous Peoples Congress (KMAN I) in 1999, March 17 has symbolized the rise of political awareness, solidarity, and collective action among Indigenous communities.
Abah Yoyo added that the commemoration also reinforces national commitment to recognizing Indigenous Peoples, as reflected in Law No. 39/1999 on Human Rights and Law No. 5/2017 on Cultural Advancement. However, such recognition is seen as insufficient without concrete legal protection.
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Urgency of the Indigenous Peoples Bill
Wilhelmina Seni, an Indigenous woman from Tana Bu Wolo One in Ende, stressed that HKMAN must serve as an annual reminder for Indigenous communities to continue fighting for their rights and livelihoods.
She warned that delays in passing the Indigenous Peoples Bill have direct consequences on the survival of communities, particularly women and children, as well as on environmental sustainability.
“This bill is essential as it provides a legal framework to protect Indigenous communities from discrimination, violence, and the seizure of natural resources,” she asserted.
Wilhelmina also highlighted that the struggle of Indigenous Peoples is deeply rooted in a long history of rights violations, including what she described as forms of “modern colonization.”
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Criticism of Development Policies
Echoing similar concerns, Romba’ Marannu Sombolinggi, Chair of the Regional Executive Body of AMAN Toraya, stated that HKMAN should not merely be a celebration but also a moment to reflect on the direction of national development.
He pointed out that many development projects continue to overlook and even sacrifice Indigenous territories.
“Development must not come at the cost of Indigenous rights, especially for communities that have protected their lands for generations,” he said.
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According to him, the absence of strong legal protection has long exposed Indigenous communities to criminalization and uncertainty, particularly amid shifting regional policies.
Through HKMAN 2026, Indigenous communities across Indonesia, including Indigenous women’s groups, have firmly called for the acceleration of the bill’s passage. They urged the Indonesian House of Representatives to prioritize deliberation of the Indigenous Peoples Bill this year.
“We call on the government to immediately pass the Indigenous Peoples Law. This is a constitutional mandate and a true reflection of respect for unity in diversity,” Abah Yoyo concluded.
The call reflects a broader expectation that the state will move beyond symbolic recognition and provide tangible legal protection to ensure the sustainability of Indigenous livelihoods, cultures, and territories in the future. (P2)
