On Tuesday, July 21, 2026, the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FH UGM), through its Center for Legal Consultation and Assistance (PKBH), in collaboration with the High Prosecution Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Kejati DIY), successfully conducted the "Suluh Praja" Legal Outreach program at the Logandeng Village Hall, Gunungkidul Regency. This legal outreach represents a synergy between FH UGM academics and Kejati DIY practitioners aimed at enhancing the legal understanding of both village officials and local residents. The event commenced with welcoming remarks from the Head of Logandeng Village, Mr. Suhardi, S.IP., followed by a presentation on the duties and authorities of the Civil and Administrative Law Division (Datun) delivered by the Kejati DIY team.
The first session on "Criminal Law" was delivered by Mr. Dr. Sigid Riyanto, S.H., M.Si. Specifically, he highlighted the rampant issues of online gambling (judi online) and illegal online lending (pinjaman online ilegal), which frequently escalate into other offenses at the local level, such as violent crimes and property crimes. He emphasized the critical importance of public legal awareness in severing the cycle of extortion and criminal activity starting from the family and village levels.
Subsequently, the second session was presented by Mrs. Dwi Haryati, S.H., M.H., focusing on "Village Treasury Land Management." In her presentation, she underscored the urgency of regulatory compliance, administrative governance, and legal certainty in utilizing Village Treasury Land (Tanah Kas Desa) as a strategic village asset to foster local community welfare.
The third topic, "Rights and Obligations of Village Officials," was presented by Mr. Ardianto Budi Rahmawan, S.H., LL.M. In his presentation, he underlined various recurring field issues, such as the risk of misusing village funds outside the approved budget (APBDes), potential conflicts of interest stemming from dual political roles, and the lack of transparency regarding accountability reports and the dismissal of village apparatus. He stressed that these problems generally root from a lack of understanding regarding the scope of rights, obligations, and prohibitions applicable to village officials. Therefore, strengthening internal oversight, conducting routine audits, and adhering strictly to legal frameworks are paramount to achieving accountable village governance.
The event proceeded with an interactive discussion and Q&A session. Participant enthusiasm was reflected in the diverse array of questions raised, notably concerning the requirements and mechanisms for implementing restorative justice to resolve specific criminal cases at the village level. The speakers provided comprehensive explanations on how restorative justice can be implemented in accordance with positive law without compromising victim restitution and community harmony.
This initiative directly contributes to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 4 (Quality Education) through community legal education; Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) through crime prevention efforts, restorative justice practices, and strengthened village governance; and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through cross-sectoral collaboration among academia, law enforcement agencies, and local village government. Through this concrete contribution, FH UGM remains steadfast in realizing the Higher Education Tri Dharma, particularly in community service.
Author : Faizal Cahya Adhyaksa (PKBH FH UGM)
