Jakarta, July 2, 2026 – The Coalition to Guard the Indigenous Peoples Bill held an audience with members of the Legislative Body of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia from the PKS faction as well as members of the Working Committee (Panja) on the Indigenous Peoples Bill, Nasir Djamil, at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Thursday (2/7). The meeting is part of the Coalition’s efforts to strengthen political support while ensuring that the discussion of the Indigenous Peoples Bill truly answers the fundamental problems that Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia have been facing.
In the hearing, the Coalition emphasized that the Indigenous Peoples Bill should not stop at the symbolic recognition of the existence of Indigenous Peoples. This regulation must be able to overcome various structural problems that have not been resolved for decades, ranging from the complexity of recognition mechanisms, overlapping sectoral regulations, the absence of institutions responsible for Indigenous Peoples’ affairs, to agrarian and investment conflicts that continue to threaten the living space of Indigenous Peoples.
The coalition conveyed three main substances that must be prioritized in the discussion of the Indigenous Peoples Bill.
First, simplifying the mechanism for recognizing Indigenous Peoples. So far, the recognition of Indigenous Peoples still depends on long, multi-layered, and different administrative procedures in each region. As a result, many indigenous communities have not obtained legal certainty as legal subjects, making it difficult for their rights to customary territories, natural resources, and state protection to be fulfilled.
The representative of the Coalition to Guard the Indigenous Peoples Bill, Abdon Nababan, emphasized that simple recognition is the foundation for the fulfillment of all Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
“So far, Indigenous Peoples have been forced to go through a long and layered process to get recognition. The Indigenous Peoples Bill must ensure simple and effective recognition so that Indigenous Peoples obtain legal certainty as legal subjects,” said Abdon.
Second, the establishment of special institutions that handle Indigenous Peoples affairs. Currently, there are at least 25 laws, 15 government regulations, and various sectoral regulations governing Indigenous Peoples. However, the number of these regulations is not able to solve the problem because there is no state institution that has a special mandate to coordinate the recognition, protection, empowerment, and resolution of conflicts experienced by Indigenous Peoples.
The Director of Policy, Legal and Human Rights Advocacy of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), Muhammad Arman, assessed that this institutional vacuum is what causes various Indigenous Peoples’ problems to continue to recur.
“There are dozens of laws and regulations that regulate Indigenous Peoples. However, there is no single institution specifically responsible for resolving Indigenous peoples’ issues. This institutional vacuum must be answered through the Indigenous Peoples Bill,” said Arman.
The coalition encourages the Indigenous Peoples Bill to regulate the establishment of national commissions or non-ministerial bodies that have the authority to coordinate cross-sectoral policies while ensuring the effective protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights.
Third, strengthening the economic sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. The coalition emphasized that Indigenous Peoples are not a group that rejects investment. Instead, investments must be carried out with respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples through the application of the Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) principle, which is free, preceded, and informed consent before an activity is carried out in customary territory.
According to the Coalition, the Indigenous Peoples Bill needs to ensure that there is a mechanism that places Indigenous Peoples as the main subject in any investment process that concerns customary territories. Thus, the relationship between investors, the government, and Indigenous Peoples can take place equally and provide legal certainty for all parties.
On this occasion, Nasir Djamil said that the discussion of the academic manuscript and draft of the Indigenous Peoples Bill was still ongoing in the Working Committee of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia. He also opened up space for civil society to provide input, including the preparation of an alternative draft that contains priority substances that need to be maintained in the discussion of the bill.
Nasir assessed that the existence of Indigenous Peoples has a strategic role in maintaining regional resilience, food security, and environmental sustainability.
“Protecting Indigenous Peoples means protecting nature, protecting the environment, protecting land, and protecting the nation’s assets. All religions have a responsibility to protect the environment as part of their spiritual and theological responsibility,” said Nasir.
He also emphasized that Indigenous Peoples cannot be separated from efforts to maintain environmental balance and sustainable economic development.
“Often Indigenous Peoples who defend their ancestral lands are considered not pro-development or anti-investment. In fact, Indigenous Peoples only want to maintain the rights and values that have been inherited from generation to generation.”
In response to this, the Coalition said that various good practices of Indigenous Peoples in Kalimantan, Papua, Kasepuhan Banten, and various other regions prove that the management of customary territories is able to produce food sovereignty, maintain environmental sustainability, and create real economic benefits for the community.
Therefore, the existence of the Indigenous Peoples Bill will actually provide legal certainty for all parties, including the government and investors. Clear recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights will create more equal relationships, reduce the potential for agrarian conflicts, and encourage responsible and sustainable investment.
The hearing was closed with a commitment to continue to build communication between the Coalition to Guard the Indigenous Peoples Bill and cross-factions in the House of Representatives during the discussion process. The coalition hopes that the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia can immediately pass the Indigenous Peoples Bill which is in favor of the protection of the constitutional rights of Indigenous Peoples and is able to answer various problems that have not been resolved through sectoral regulations.
About the Coalition to Guard the Indigenous Peoples Bill
The Coalition to Guard the Indigenous Peoples Bill is a network of civil society organizations, Indigenous communities, academics, and individuals who are committed to overseeing the legislative process and encouraging the acceleration of the ratification of the Indigenous Peoples Bill as part of strengthening democracy and protecting the constitutional rights of citizens.
Contact Person:
Ayut +62 812-3407-5917 | Coalition Member – Campaign Division
Fikrie +62 812-9069-6507 | Coalition Member – Campaign Division
Yael +62 812-7899-5448 | Coalition Member – Campaign Division
Disclaimer: This article was written in Indonesia and has been translated by Google Translate. In case of dispute or discrepancy, the original language of the article should prevail.
