Human Rights Minister Describes HAM as Framework Influencing Nearly Every Aspect of State and Public Life
Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai has affirmed that human rights (HAM) constitute the most valuable intangible asset in modern civilisation. However, human rights encompass philosophical dimensions, principles, scientific knowledge, and universal yet particular international instruments.
Natalius Pigai stated that human rights regulate not only humanity but also relations with others. “Human rights do not merely regulate humanity itself, but also its relations with values, nature, the state, society, state conduct, and relations with God,” said Pigai in a written statement on Sunday (1 March 2026).
He explained that human rights possess their own justice system and continue to evolve with the dynamics of the times, from imperial eras to the current global context. In his view, human rights have now become a framework influencing nearly every aspect of state and public life.
“Human rights is not constitutional law whereby experts assess government policy based on articles and provisions written in various laws,” Pigai clarified.
Pigai emphasised that understanding human rights is not equivalent to reading constitutional law textually or following standard technical guidelines. He illustrated that understanding human rights requires depth of values, context, and wisdom in its application. Nevertheless, he appreciated the public’s continued concern for human rights issues despite incomplete understanding of their complexity.
On the occasion, Pigai also expressed appreciation to Mahfud MD and Zainal Arifin Mochtar for their attention to human rights discourse in public space. He even plans to award them symbolic recognition as ‘Human Rights Friends’ for their intellectual contributions.
Pigai’s statement emerged amid public discussion regarding the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG). He assessed that the use of the term human rights violation must be done carefully. According to him, a more appropriate phrase is that unprofessional programme management can affect the state’s achievement of its obligation to fulfil the right to food.
Pigai added that negligence in programme implementation can still be corrected, whereas human rights violations carry different legal consequences and can only be decided through judicial processes.
“The Professor (Mahfud MD) also cannot state a violation of human rights because human rights violations only occur through court decisions. Unless accompanied by the word ‘alleged’,” concluded Pigai.