On Saturday, September 27, 2025, the Master’s Program in Notarial Studies at the UGM Faculty of Law, in collaboration with the Department of Agrarian Law at the UGM Faculty of Law, successfully held a national seminar titled “Implementation and Challenges of Granting Management Rights over Customary Lands.” The event was held in a hybrid format—in-person at the Auditorium of Building B, UGM Faculty of Law, and online via Zoom Meeting and YouTube Live Stream. The event was open to the public. Students enrolled in specific courses were required to attend this event, namely those taking the courses “Law on the Administration and Registration of Land Rights,” “Practical Land Law,” and “Agrarian Law.” The total number of attendees at this event exceeded 700, with 440 participants attending in person (comprising students and invited guests) and the remainder participating online.
This National Seminar featured speakers from various backgrounds, including practitioners, academics, and indigenous communities. The event began with the singing of the national anthem, “Indonesia Raya,” followed by opening remarks by Prof. Dr. Heribertus Jaka Triyana, S.H., LL.M., M.A., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Information Systems. Next, Dr. Rikardo Simarmata, S.H., serving as moderator, provided an introduction to the discussion to lead into the presentation session by the speakers. During the main part of the event, the speakers took turns presenting their material according to their respective topics.
Speaker 1, Slameto Dwi Martono, S.H., M.H. (Expert Staff to the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency for Agrarian Law and Indigenous Communities), presented on Ministerial Regulation No. 14 of 2024 and the dynamics of its implementation. Next, Speaker 2, Almonika Cindy Fatika Sari, S.H., M.A. (Researcher at the Djojodigoeno Center for Customary Law Studies), discussed the process and impacts of granting management rights over land based on customary law. Next, Speaker 3—the Sungai Kamuyang Village Community in Lima Puluh Kota, West Sumatra, represented by H.J. Datuk Tumbagindo and Jasril St. Maliputi—shared their experiences regarding the process of granting management rights. Next, Speaker 4—the Karo ethnic community from Ngada, East Nusa Tenggara, represented by Arnoldus Dolo and Mariana Deso—shared their experiences regarding registration in the Customary Land Register (DTU). Finally, Speaker 5, Prof. Dr. Maria S.W. Sumardjono, S.H., M.P.A., M.C.L. (Professor of Agrarian Law at the Faculty of Law, UGM), presented a reflective analysis of the administration and registration of customary lands.
The presentations by the five outstanding speakers were warmly received, with participants—both in-person and online—asking a variety of questions during the Q&A session. The speakers answered each question in great detail. The event concluded with the presentation of souvenirs to the speakers and closing remarks by the emcee. This National Seminar received a positive response from the general public and was covered by prominent media outlets such as Hukumonline.
This National Seminar is also relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). First, this event supports SDG 4: Quality Education by providing an academic and hands-on learning environment for students, academics, practitioners, and indigenous communities regarding land issues. Second, the discussion on management rights over customary lands aligns with SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, as it emphasizes the importance of protecting the rights of indigenous communities, who are often marginalized in national land policies. Third, this seminar also reinforces SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions by strengthening land governance to make it more just, transparent, and inclusive. By involving various stakeholders—from the government to indigenous communities—this event also reflects the implementation of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which emphasizes multistakeholder collaboration in achieving sustainable development in the agrarian sector.
Author : Program Director of the Master’s Program in Notarial Law, Faculty of Law, UGM.
