Iptu Bastian Tuhuteru's Dedication Becomes Educator for Indigenous Communities in South Buru

Police Chief of Leksula Sector, Iptu Bastian Tuhuteru, has dedicated himself to enlightening the indigenous communities in the remote areas of South Buru Regency, Maluku. This has led to Iptu Bastian being proposed as a candidate for the 2026 Hoegeng Awards.

The proposer is Marlan S Lahallo, a resident of Kamlanglale Village, Namrole Subdistrict, South Buru. Marlan claims to have known Iptu Bastian since 2016. According to him, Iptu Bastian is an exemplary police officer. Here is his testimony:

Iptu Bastian Tuhuteru is a police figure worthy of emulation. I have known him since he was assigned in 2016; during his tenure, he was always responsive to everyone and pioneered education for children in the indigenous community in Walafau hamlet. In several assignment locations, he also initiated the establishment of schools for indigenous community brothers (Waesama Subdistrict). Not only teaching them to recognise letters, read, write, and count, but he also took on the role of a doctor. He taught many things about healthy living to our indigenous community brothers. A police officer like this is very rare; from our perspective, he deserves to be a role model.

Detikcom then contacted Marlan. He got to know Iptu Bastian when he worked in Leksula Subdistrict, the jurisdiction where Iptu Bastian is stationed.

“So initially, he wasn’t known, but when we got to know him (Iptu Bastian), it was because of his initiatives. At that time, he was the community policing officer for one of the hamlets where the residents could be said to be illiterate, still steeped in their customs, still speaking in their indigenous language, not Indonesian. His way of adapting to the local community turned out to connect well,” said Marlan to detikcom on Wednesday (11/3/2026).

Marlan stated that Iptu Bastian approached the indigenous communities in remote South Buru through teaching and training local children to be intelligent and live healthily. He was also impressed by Iptu Bastian’s contributions.

“We were also surprised because there was someone who could make the people there, who initially couldn’t read, write, or recognise letters, now able to, and they can even go to school in the city. That means they can compete in the city because they’re no longer left behind,” he said.

Not stopping at just teaching and training children to read and write, Iptu Bastian is also said to have advocated for the construction of a primary school (SD) in his assigned village. His efforts were not in vain; the local government supported Iptu Bastian’s desire to build an SD in his assigned village.

“There, what they needed most was a school. Because of his capacity at the time, he coordinated with the local government, which also supported him to build the school and provide books,” said Marlan.

“He indeed gave them understanding, and eventually they understood that life doesn’t have to stay there forever; it must develop. So, like it or not, they have to compete to adapt to the development and progress that will come to us,” he added.

Marlan’s praise did not stop there, as Iptu Bastian’s attitude, character, and social actions have remained unchanged from his time as a community policing officer until now as Leksula Police Chief. According to Marlan, Iptu Bastian always has initiatives.

“So, perhaps that’s how he lives; he can’t stand seeing things that are underdeveloped; he wants everything to advance,” he added.

Iptu Bastian’s Story

Iptu Bastian Tuhuteru is a candidate for Hoegeng Corner 2025. He recounted the challenging path as a police officer and his dedication as an educator for indigenous communities in remote South Buru, Maluku Province.

Iptu Bastian’s story of dedication in enlightening the people of South Buru began when he was assigned as a community policing officer in 2016. His assigned area included Walafau Hamlet, one of the underdeveloped regions.

There, many indigenous people in remote South Buru had not yet been reached by education. Children usually went gardening and hunting with their parents.

“There, my heart was moved seeing children who hadn’t gone to school, then I felt called to start teaching them,” said Iptu Bastian to detikcom on Thursday (11/9/2025).

At that time, Bastian was still ranked Bripka. He felt called to teach the children in Walafau Hamlet despite having to traverse difficult terrain, sometimes crossing rivers.

However, none of that dampened Iptu Bastian’s spirit to help enlighten the indigenous communities in the interior. He initially taught the children in a simple tent.

After a few months, the learning place moved because the tent sometimes leaked. Iptu Bastian then coordinated with one of the local customary leaders to borrow a place.

After struggling for about three years, finally in 2019, the government together with the community built a state primary school. Iptu Bastian was grateful that his efforts bore fruit.

“We also taught there for nearly three years. And in 2018 entering 2019, through our sacrifices, a state primary school was established,” he said.

That three-year journey was not easy. Initially, Iptu Bastian had to convince the indigenous parents there that he truly wanted to teach their children.

“So when we arrived, I immediately showed that we are red-and-white police, with no ulterior motives. I followed their parents and customary leaders, saying that if mothers and fathers don’t open your hearts to accept us teaching your children, you will be left far behind because this is cultural development, the progress of this nation is already advancing,” said Iptu Bastian.

“Then they thought we might have other missions, like a religious mission or something, so when I taught, their parents watched,” he continued.

Iptu Bastian taught the children about reading, writing, and arithmetic (calistung) and guided the children on the importance of maintaining personal hygiene. When he came to teach, Iptu