West Kalimantan Moves to Protect Rights in Dayak Marriages

RRI.CO.ID, Pontianak - The West Kalimantan Provincial Administration, in collaboration with the Regional High Prosecutor’s Office, is formulating a framework to bridge Dayak customary law with the state administrative system. Through the Sikawan Dayak innovation program, the administration aims to provide legal certainty for customary marriages without disregarding the traditional values embedded in community life.

The Dayak are the diverse indigenous peoples native to the island of Borneo, renowned for their rich cultural heritage, deep spiritual connection to nature, and traditional longhouse communities. Without clear legal status from the state, women and children of the Dayak indigenous community, who are in a vulnerable position, risk losing their basic rights, ranging from identity documents to social protection guarantees.

“Clear identity and legal status will make it easier for the public to access various services and ensure protection of their rights,” said West Kalimantan Vice Governor, Krisantus Kurniawan, during a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on the Sikawan Dayak Innovation System for Protecting the Civil Rights of Dayak Women and Children, held at the West Kalimantan Regional High Prosecutor’s Office auditorium on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Krisantus conveyed that civil registration serves as a state instrument to recognize each resident’s personal and legal status. According to him, protecting the rights of Dayak women and children must be carried out while respecting customary marriage. This practice remains an integral part of social organization, kinship structures, family honor, and the continuity 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. Likewise, children must clearly receive their administrative and civil registration rights,” he said, as quoted by Antara.

Krisantus emphasized the need to find common ground between customary values and state legal governance in implementing civil registration related to Dayak customary marriages.

“Customary law must be respected as cultural heritage, while civil registration serves as a state instrument to provide certainty of identity and legal status for every citizen,” he conveyed.

He expressed hope that the Sikawan Dayak FGD would produce concrete recommendations on the position of Dayak customary marriage within civil registration. These outcomes aim to ensure the protection of women’s and children’s rights while strengthening the role of customary institutions.

“We can formulate concrete recommendations regarding the position of Dayak customary marriage in civil registration, the protection of women’s and children’s rights, and the strengthening of the role of customary institutions,” said Krisantus.

To support these efforts, he urged stronger coordination among the West Kalimantan Regional High Prosecutor’s Office, local administrations, customary institutions, and the Population and Civil Registration Agency.

“This synergy is important so that indigenous communities, especially women and children, do not face difficulties in obtaining administrative certainty and legal protection. We must be present to provide solutions,” he said.

Krisantus reaffirmed the West Kalimantan Provincial Administration’s commitment to supporting community protection while preserving the existence and values of Dayak culture through improved civil registration services.

The FGD was opened by the Head of the West Kalimantan Regional High Prosecutor’s Office, Emilwan Ridwan, and attended by the Deputy Head of the office, resource persons, and FGD participants. ***