The Merauke Regency Government, South Papua, continues to encourage\ndevelopment at the village level to proceed in accordance with the\nsocial and cultural conditions of the local community.<\/p>\n
One of the steps taken is the participatory mapping of customary\nterritories involving various clans. This effort is intended to\nstrengthen the government\u2019s understanding of social structures and\ncustomary areas before various development programmes are\nimplemented.<\/p>\n
The Head of the Department of Community and Village Empowerment\n(DPMK) of Merauke Regency, Daud Holingger, stated that because every\ncommunity has different characteristics, the government requires a\ncomprehensive understanding when drafting policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery community possesses different social and cultural\ncharacteristics. Therefore, the government needs to understand social\nstructures, customary leadership, and genealogical and clan\nrelationships when formulating development policies,\u201d said Daud, as\nreported on Thursday, 17 September 2026.<\/p>\n
According to Daud, the existence of customary institutions does not\nact as an obstacle to development. On the contrary, customary structures\ncan serve as a component that assists the government in understanding\nthe needs of the community on the ground.<\/p>\n
At the village level, the village head performs administrative\ngovernment functions, whereas the customary chief holds social and\ncultural legitimacy within the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe village head carries out government functions administratively,\nwhile the customary chief possesses social and cultural legitimacy\narising from the traditional leadership structures of the community,\u201d he\nadded.<\/p>\n
This condition is particularly important for programmes related to\nland. In several areas of Merauke, land ownership remains closely linked\nto clan lineages.<\/p>\n
Daud assessed that understanding these conditions can assist the\ngovernment in planning and executing development more appropriately\naccording to the character of the local people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recognition of customary law communities is not enough to be\nmerely reflected in regulations and documents; it must also be realised\nthrough policies and development practices,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As part of these efforts, DPMK Merauke has conducted participatory\nmapping of customary territories in the Woyu Maklew area, involving\nvarious clans.<\/p>\n
This mapping has resulted in the creation of customary territory\nmaps. However, several outer boundaries of these territories still\nrequire further resolution.<\/p>\n
Documentation regarding the history, territory, genealogy, and\ncommunity life is also being collected to strengthen the government\u2019s\ninformation base regarding customary law communities.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/merauke-regency-promotes-development-based-on-customary-territory-data-1789667624", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }