On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FH UGM), through its Center for Legal Consultation and Aid (PKBH), in collaboration with the High Prosecutor's Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Kejati DIY), successfully organized a collaborative legal dissemination event titled "Suluh Praja." The event took place at the Potorono Village Office, Banguntapan Sub-district (Kapanewon), Bantul Regency. This legal dissemination serves as a form of multi-sectoral synergy, bringing together academia through the presence of FH UGM lecturers and Law Enforcement Officials (APH) represented by State Attorneys from the High Prosecutor's Office of DIY. The event aimed to enhance legal awareness and address various empirical issues regarding the topics of Waste Management, Village Officials in a Labour Law Perspective, and Rights and Obligations of Village Officials for all Potorono Village Officials (Pamong).
The event commenced with a warm welcome from the Village Head (Lurah) of Potorono, who warmly received and highly appreciated the implementation of the "Suluh Praja" Legal Dissemination. The agenda then proceeded with a presentation on the Main Tasks and Functions (Tupoksi) of the Civil and Administrative Law Division (Datun) delivered by Kejati DIY, highlighting the broader role of the prosecutor's office beyond its function as a public prosecutor.
Entering the core session of the dissemination, the first presentation on Waste Management was delivered by Dr. Fajar Winarni, S.H., M.Hum. In her presentation, Dr. Fajar thoroughly analyzed the environmental law instruments and local regulations concerning waste management in Potorono Village, which has become a model village for waste management through the Village-Owned Enterprise (BUMKal). She emphasized that waste management is a shared responsibility across multiple parties, necessitating synergy among the community, BUMKal Potorono, sub-villages (Padukuhan), the Potorono Waste Bank, and the Potorono Village Government.
Subsequently, the second presentation regarding Village Officials in a Labour Law Perspective was delivered by Prof. Dr. Ari Hernawan, S.H., M.Hum. In his discussion, he explicitly underlined the importance for all village officials and staff to fully satisfy all legal criteria and requirements during the candidacy process or prior to being appointed as village officials. Prof. Ari also provided a sharp moral emphasis regarding the fundamental philosophy of village apparatuses. "To be a village official, one's soul must be one hundred percent dedicated to service," asserted Prof. Ari, reminding the audience that the fulfillment of labour rights must always be balanced with full dedication to community service.
The presentation session continued with the third topic on the Rights and Obligations of Village Officials by Dr. Murti Pramuwardhani Dewi, S.H., M.Hum. Dr. Murti dissected the legal aspects governing the legal standing, authority, and boundaries of rights and obligations of the village apparatus. She asserted that a comprehensive understanding of civil service rights and public service obligations is a primary pillar in maintaining stability, accountability, and good village governance.
Following the presentations, the event transitioned into a question-and-answer session between the speakers and the village officials. This discussion session was met with immense enthusiasm, where the questions raised across each topic clearly reflected the numerous real-world dilemmas currently encountered by the village administration in the field. One of the sharpest and most highlighted discourses was regarding the problem of waste management, specifically concerning law enforcement efforts against illegal waste dumpers. The speakers responded to these questions with comprehensive, solution-oriented answers in line with the prevailing positive law framework.
In line with the main theme of the event, particularly regarding the urgency of environmental governance, this legal dissemination is expected to contribute significantly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across various sectors. Specifically, this activity aligns with SDG Goal 11, which aims to make rural settlements safe, resilient, and sustainable. Furthermore, the discourse on law enforcement against illegal waste dumping supports SDG Goal 15 (Life on Land) in efforts to preserve terrestrial ecosystems from the threat of environmental degradation. Additionally, the elaboration on labour rights and obligations of the village apparatus remains a supporting pillar for SDG Goals 8 and 16 to create a resilient, just, and upright village governance. As a tangible manifestation of cross-sectoral collaboration between academia, law enforcement, and the village government, this program concurrently actualizes SDG Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) in strengthening partnerships to achieve goals. Through these concrete contributions rooted in the Sustainable Development Principles, FH UGM consistently moves forward in fulfilling the Three Pillars of Higher Education (Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi), particularly in the field of community service.
Author: Faizal Cahya Adhyaksa (PKBH FH UGM)
