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