Message from Indigenous Figures in Baduy Seba: Leaders Must Be Smart in Eradicating Corruption

Every year, the Baduy community holds the Seba Baduy event to meet the Lebak Regent and the Banten Governor. In this year’s Seba Baduy, the Baduy residents brought messages to protect nature and eradicate corruption.

The Seba Baduy event was held at the Lebak Regent’s Pendopo and will continue at the peak event at the Banten Governor’s Pendopo. At the Lebak Regent’s pendopo, Baduy residents met directly with Hasbi Asyidiki Jayabaya and the invited guests.

On that occasion, they requested that the government preserve and conserve nature. Because, for the Baduy community, nature is the source of life.

“Determination to strengthen conservation, especially for those who love nature, we entrust that what is on the face of the earth be considered, in every remote area called prohibitions, on land and in water,” said Jaro Tangungan 12, Saidi Putra, to reporters on Friday (24/4/2026).

Saidi also highlighted industrial waste to household waste that pollutes river flows. He asked that river flows be clean from waste.

“Water is the source of life, everyone needs clean water. Do not dispose of waste into rivers,” he said.

Saidi also threw a pantun. The pantun was a message that leaders should be able to eradicate corruption.

“To Malingping via Cikeper, to Rangkas to buy bread. As a leader, one must be smart, must be able to eradicate corruption,” said Saidi.

Meanwhile, Lebak Regent Hasbi Jayabaya stated that Seba Baduy is not just an annual tradition. According to him, the Baduy residents bring very important messages to be applied in preserving the environment.

“Through the Seba Baduy tradition, I, together with the committee chairman and the head of the tourism office, understand that Seba Baduy is not just a ceremony but teaches us how important it is to protect nature,” said Hasbi.

“So the message conveyed by Abah Saidi as a representative or customary leader conveys that the mountain should not be melted, Lebak should not be damaged. Meaning we together protect the living environment,” he added.