Nagari Governance Based on Custom, Sharia, and Community Participation

Social change, technological advancement, and economic growth are inevitable in modern society. However, these changes must not erase the identity and values that form the foundation of a community’s life. For a society that upholds the philosophy of Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah (ABS-SBK), development is not merely defined as improvements in infrastructure and the economy, but also as an effort to maintain a balance between material progress and moral, social, cultural, and spiritual life. In recent years, various social problems have emerged in a number of nagari, such as increasing drug abuse, gambling, alcohol consumption, social conflict, environmental damage, weak supervision of business permits, and the growth of business establishments that contradict customary and religious norms. These phenomena indicate that the problems faced are not merely individual issues, but rather issues of governmental and community life governance. The concept of good governance explains that good governance is built on the principles of participation, transparency, accountability, effectiveness, legal certainty, and justice. In the context of the nagari, these principles need to be enriched with customary and sharia values as the identity of the community. Nagari governance is not sufficient if it only carries out administrative functions; it must also be a guardian of values, a protector of community interests, and a keeper of the balance between economic development and social life. Good governance must be able to ensure that every policy taken does not conflict with customary norms, sharia, or the broader interests of the community. Custom is not an obstacle to development. On the contrary, custom is a form of social capital that can strengthen community cohesion, increase compliance with rules, and build trust between the government and the community. The philosophy of Adat Basandi Syarak, Syarak Basandi Kitabullah teaches that customary law and Islamic values mutually reinforce each other in regulating community life. When custom and sharia are used as the basis for policy formulation, development will be more easily accepted because it has both social and moral legitimacy. Conversely, if policies are based solely on economic considerations without regard for local values, the potential for social conflict will be greater. Effective governance cannot rely solely on the nagari government. Community participation is a key element in creating a responsive and sustainable government. In the nagari system, this participation is realised through the involvement of ninik mamak, alim ulama, cerdik pandai, bundo kanduang, youth, women leaders, and all elements of society in the process of deliberation, policy formulation, supervision, and evaluation of development. Meaningful participation is not just about being present in meeting forums, but also providing space for the community to convey aspirations, criticisms, and solutions responsibly. Thus, every resulting policy truly reflects the needs of the community. The biggest challenge today is not only the swift currents of globalisation, but also the tendency to maintain the status quo, allowing problems to continue without fundamental improvement. Weak supervision of business permits, the declining authority of customary institutions, poor coordination between institutions, a lack of transparency, and reduced community concern for social problems are indicators that governance still requires renewal. Social ills, such as drug abuse, gambling, alcohol consumption, and the growth of business establishments that contradict customary and religious norms, are the result of a weak supervision system and cross-institutional coordination. Therefore, the solution is not enough through temporary crackdowns, but rather through a more comprehensive governance reform. Strengthening nagari governance needs to be directed towards several strategic steps. First, strengthening nagari regulations that integrate national legal provisions with customary and sharia values. Second, increasing government transparency and accountability so that public trust grows stronger. Third, reviving the function of customary institutions as strategic partners of the government in maintaining social order. Fourth, expanding the space for community participation in the entire development process. Fifth, developing a productive and ethical community economy so that prosperity can be achieved without sacrificing moral values. The future of a nagari is not only determined by the size of its development budget or the number of projects implemented. The future of a nagari is determined by the quality of governance, the strength of the values upheld by the community, and the ability of all elements to work together in safeguarding the dignity of the nagari. Nagari governance based on custom, sharia, and community participation is not an effort to maintain a romance with the past, but a development strategy rooted in local identity while remaining relevant to modern governance principles. When the government, customary institutions, religious leaders, youth, and the community walk in a single vision, a government with integrity, equitable development, and a safe, dignified, and sustainable community life will be born. Thus, strengthening nagari governance must be viewed as a long-term social investment to ensure that the progress achieved does not erode identity.