Dayak NGO Responses to National Legal and Policy Frameworks Affecting Adat Governance in Indonesia

Abstract

"Current national legal frameworks do not support traditional local adat governance and threaten ecological and social resilience in Indonesia. This paper describes the range of traditional Dayak adat governance structures, the Indonesian states' governance structure, the national laws and policies that threaten Dayak adat governance, and Dayak NGOs' responses to these frameworks. Specific laws affecting adat governance include: Agrarian Basic Law No. 5, 1960; Basic Forestry Law No. 5, 1967; Village Governing Law No. 5, 1979; Spatial Law No. 24, 1992; Ministry of Internal Affairs Regulation No. 3, 1997; Anti-subversion Law No. 11, 1963, and Mines Law No. 11, 1968. Dayaks have formed NGOs to raise awareness of the problematic laws, revitalize adat governance, and provide legal empowerment. They also work for legal reform through networks and alliances."