On Tuesday, 27 January 2026, the Faculty of Law of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), through the Legal Aid Consultation Center (PKBH), in collaboration with the High Prosecutor’s Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Kejati DIY), successfully conducted a legal outreach program titled “Suluh Praja” at the Hargobinangun Village Office, Pakem District, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta. This legal counseling activity aimed to enhance legal awareness and knowledge among the participants, consisting of village officials and members of the local community, regarding legal issues commonly encountered in everyday life. The Suluh Praja program carried the theme “Inheritance Law and the Merah Putih Village Cooperative,” providing insights into the fundamental principles of inheritance law applicable in Indonesia, as well as an introduction to the basic concepts and principles essential for the management of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative.
The event commenced at 9:30 a.m. WIB with the joint singing of the Indonesian national anthem, Indonesia Raya. It was followed by an opening remark delivered by the Head of Hargobinangun Village, Mr. Amin Sarjito, S.H. The first session of material presentation was delivered by the Civil and State Administrative Law Team (Datun) of the Regional Prosecutor’s Office of DIY, represented by Ms. Nurlatifah, S.H., M.H., and Ms. Retna Wulaningsih, S.H., M.H., who explained the main duties and functions of the civil and state administrative law division of the Prosecutor’s Office. The subsequent session was presented by lecturers from the Faculty of Law UGM, namely Dr. Agus Sudaryanto, S.H., M.Si., a lecturer in the Department of Customary Law, and Dr. Agustina Merdekawati, S.H., LL.M., a lecturer in the Department of International Law.
The presentation on Inheritance Law, delivered by Dr. Agus Sudaryanto, emphasized the pluralism of inheritance law systems in Indonesia, along with the philosophical foundations underlying the development of inheritance law. During the question-and-answer session, participants demonstrated strong enthusiasm by raising practical case-based questions, including issues concerning inheritance rights of children born outside of marriage.
The session on the Merah Putih Village Cooperative was delivered by Dr. Agustina Merdekawati, who explained the fundamental concepts and principles of establishing and managing village cooperatives based on the latest applicable laws and regulations. Further discussion linked the theoretical framework of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative with existing cooperative practices in Hargobinangun Village, particularly the management of a village health clinic and a cooperative-based gas distribution unit.
All speakers, both from the Regional Prosecutor’s Office of DIY and the Faculty of Law UGM, actively engaged in discussions during the question-and-answer session with village officials. The majority of the questions addressed issues related to waste management as well as land administration and land-related disputes in Hargobinangun Village, which remain challenges requiring collaborative solutions involving all relevant stakeholders.
Overall, the material presentations were delivered in an interactive and engaging manner, fostering constructive dialogue between the speakers and participants. The legal outreach activity is expected to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities), Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) through strengthening governance at the village level, and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Author: Meirhina Elnanda Puan Bidari (PKBH FH UGM)
