West Kalimantan Provincial Government Strengthens Civil Administration for Dayak Community
Pontianak (ANTARA) - The West Kalimantan Provincial Government is encouraging the strengthening of civil administration to guarantee identity certainty and the protection of the rights of Dayak women and children.
“Clear identity and legal status will make it easier for the community to access various services and provide protection for their rights,” said West Kalimantan Vice Governor Krisantus Kurniawan during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the Innovation of the Protection System for the Civil Rights of Dayak Women and Children (Sikawan Dayak) at the West Kalimantan High Prosecutor’s Office Hall on Thursday.
Krisantus Kurniawan stated that civil administration serves as a state instrument to provide recognition of the personal and legal status of every resident.
According to him, the protection of the rights of Dayak women and children must be carried out while continuing to respect customary marriage as part of the social order, kinship, family honour, and the sustainability of cultural values.
“Dayak women hold an important position within the family and society. We must ensure they obtain certainty regarding their identity and family status. Similarly, children must receive clear administrative and civil registration rights,” he noted.
Krisantus assessed that a common ground is required between customary values and state legal governance in the implementation of civil administration related to Dayak customary marriages.
“We must respect custom as a cultural wealth, while civil administration serves as the state instrument to provide certainty of identity and legal status for every citizen,” he expressed.
He hopes that the Sikawan Dayak FGD will produce concrete recommendations regarding the position of Dayak customary marriage within civil administration, the protection of women’s and children’s rights, and the strengthening of the role of customary institutions.
“We can formulate concrete recommendations regarding the position of Dayak customary marriage in civil administration, the protection of women’s and children’s rights, and the strengthening of the role of customary institutions,” said Krisantus.
To support these efforts, the Vice Governor encouraged strengthened coordination between the West Kalimantan High Prosecutor’s Office, local governments, customary institutions, and the Department of Population and Civil Registration.
“This synergy is essential so that indigenous communities, particularly women and children, do not face difficulties in obtaining administrative certainty and legal protection. We must be present to provide solutions,” he said.
Krisantum emphasised that the West Kalimantan Provincial Government is committed to supporting community protection while preserving the existence and cultural values of the Dayak people through improved civil administration services.
The FGD was opened by the Head of the West Kalimantan High Prosecutor’s Office, Dr Emilwan Ridwan, and was attended by the Deputy Head of the West Kalimantan High Prosecutor’s Office, various resource persons, and FGD participants.