Minangkabau traditional law
Minangkabau traditional law
From Forum Keadilan
I am responding to a news item published in the magazine Forum Keadilan on Jan. 27, 1997, which reported on a court case in Padang. The prosecutor charged lawyer H. Djanas Raden Dt. Bandaro Kuniang with fraud and false documentation.
The report, abounding with wrong facts and bordering on trial by the press, is to be regretted.
Respecting the principle of presumption of innocence and an independent and impartial judiciary, we feel we should clarify several existing facts.
Nurbaiti, who reported lawyers H. Djanas Raden, Afan, and Ondot Malin Sampono, is no client, not even an old client of lawyer Djanas, as mentioned in Forum. Nurbaiti, according to Ranji (family tree) on May 15, 1986, is a cousin of Narullah Rajo Basa, who was acting as the main inheritor of the Jambak, an ethnic race of Kuranji, Padang.
Based on a power of attorney, dated Jan. 2, 1987, Nasrullah Rajo Basa, together with several Jurai chiefs, became clients of lawyer Djanas Raden.
The expiration of the letter of authority was concluded with shares of equal sums, in compensation for land lost, to everybody. This was verified by the Kuranji district office on Dec. 29, 1987. No claims or demands from the chief inheritor or the Jurai chief in question or from Jurai chief Nurbaiti Ondot Malin Sampono were ever forwarded to Lawyer Djanas Raden.
It is not true that chief inheritor Nurbaiti is the same person as Ondot Malin Sampono, as reported in Forum. The truth is that chief inheritor Nurbaiti and Gaek Rajo Basa are one and the same person. The titles of chief inheritor and Jurai chief do not carry the same conotation.
It is of importance that this should be straightened out since Nurbaiti, one of the ethnic race members who was already represented in the case by the Jurai chief, is deeply involved in the matter.
Bearing the special Minangkabau customs in mind, we think that Forum would appreciate our, more accurate, report. At least, where agreements from a philosophical aspect and Minangkabau customs are concerned.
ADE WALDEMAR
Padang, West Sumatra