Strengthening Community Protection, Khofifah Initiates Indigenous Peoples Regional Regulation
Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, has initiated the formation of a Regional Regulation (Perda) on Indigenous Peoples. This is a strategic step to strengthen the recognition, protection, and empowerment of indigenous communities in East Java.
On that occasion, Khofifah emphasised that this Perda is not only intended for the Tengger community but will also accommodate other indigenous communities in East Java, such as the Samin and Osing ethnic groups, under a single provincial-level legal umbrella.
As an acceleration measure, Khofifah has instructed the Provincial Secretariat’s Legal Bureau together with the Provincial Culture and Tourism Office of East Java to immediately conduct a study. She assessed that provincial-level regulation would serve as a more effective legal umbrella compared to drafting it partially in each regency/city.
“Through the Perda, it can be simpler, covering various regions and other ethnic groups at once. So, if possible, this should be an initiative from the Provincial Government alone,” said Khofifah, in a written statement, Friday (27/3/2026).
The initiative was conveyed when Khofifah received an audience from representatives of the Tengger ethnic group from four regions, namely Probolinggo Regency, Pasuruan, Malang, and Lumajang, at the Negara Grahadi Building, Thursday (26/3).
Thus, Khofifah is optimistic that the recognition of the existence and fulfilment of indigenous peoples’ rights in East Java can proceed in harmony without causing inter-regional disparities.
Furthermore, Khofifah also gave special attention to the welfare aspects of indigenous communities, especially those in strategic tourism areas like Mount Bromo. She assessed that, to date, the revenue-sharing scheme from economic activities in that area has not been fully felt by the local indigenous community.
For this reason, Khofifah asked relevant officials to explore opportunities for strengthening fiscal schemes through existing regulations, including studying the Law on Financial Relations between the Central Government and Regional Governments (HKPD), to ensure that the economic potential of the area can provide direct benefits to the region and surrounding communities.
In addition, Khofifah also highlighted the importance of improving supporting infrastructure in that tourist area. According to her, Mount Bromo’s status as a world tourism destination must be matched with adequate infrastructure readiness.
“The supporting infrastructure should also align with Mount Bromo’s world tourism status. But the supporting infrastructure is still very minimal,” she stated.
Closing the meeting, Khofifah emphasised that preserving local wisdom is an important foundation in regional development. She hopes that through the initiated Indigenous Peoples Perda, the continuity of culture and the fulfilment of indigenous peoples’ rights can be maintained, while encouraging them to become a main part of regional economic development.
“Recognising local wisdoms is important,” she stressed.
Meanwhile, the elder of the Tengger ethnic group, Supoyo, expressed appreciation and thanks for Khofifah’s attention to indigenous peoples. He assessed that this attention provides new hope for strengthening legal protection as well as improving the welfare of indigenous communities in the future.
“Thank you, Madam Governor, we always feel protected from various policies to infrastructure development,” said Supoyo.
“With this Perda in the future, we hope that our children and subsequent generations will also have a legal umbrella when budgeting through funds sourced from Village Funds or provincial or central government funds,” he concluded.