Government Supports Strengthening Historical Narrative and Customary Law of Tumbang Anoi

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Culture Minister Fadli Zon stated that the government fully supports efforts to preserve culture and strengthen the historical narrative of indigenous communities, particularly regarding Tumbang Anoi as an important event in the history of Dayak tribal peace. “As the government, we strongly support various efforts that can advance national culture, including strengthening the historical narrative such as Tumbang Anoi. Strengthening the values of Tumbang Anoi customary law can also be collaborated with the Ministry of Law,” said Fadli in a written statement confirmed from Jakarta on Wednesday. For the proposals for activities submitted by the Indigenous Community Elements (Emas Dayak), Fadli mentioned that they could involve the Central Kalimantan Cultural Preservation Agency to make them more effective and measurable. Emas Dayak Chairman, Mandeh, expressed concern over the decreasing application of customary law in Kalimantan and emphasised that Tumbang Anoi is an important milestone in customary peace with great value, even recognised at the international level. He hopes the government can give full attention to Tumbang Anoi in encouraging the re-enforcement of customary law that was formulated and ratified in 1894. However, the implementation of the agreed customary law is assessed as no longer running as it should. For this reason, he along with Emas Dayak conveyed plans to organise a series of cultural activities as an effort to revive the values of Tumbang Anoi as well as to reaffirm Tumbang Anoi as valid and binding law for all indigenous communities. “We hope that the customary law compiled by our grandfathers, Damang Batu along with the tribal representatives at that time, can be re-enforced and not set aside. Hopefully, it can receive support from the government, especially the Ministry of Culture,” he said. Meanwhile, Emas Dayak mentor and advisor H.R.M. Soekarna conveyed the importance of government support in enforcing Tumbang Anoi customary law. He also hopes that the government can actively introduce the history of Tumbang Anoi to the wider public as part of public education, considering Tumbang Anoi as one of the national cultural treasures. Emas Dayak hopes that the organisation of a kirab or customary exhibition can be collaborated with the momentum of National Awakening Day on 20 May 2026. That cultural kirab will unfurl a 118-metre red and white flag representing 118 years of Indonesian National Awakening. The kirab is planned to involve various community elements, from students, universities, to the TNI and Police, and enlivened with Dayak and Nusantara traditional performances.