As part of an initiative to strengthen legal awareness at the kalurahan (village-level government) the governmental entity closest to the community, the talk show Pro Justicia, broadcast on TVRI Yogyakarta, carried the theme “The Synergy of PKBH UGM and the Yogyakarta High Prosecutor’s Office in Realizing Legally Aware Kalurahan through the Suluh Praja Program and Assistance in the Drafting of Kalurahan Regulations.” The program, aired on Tuesday (February 10, 2026), represents a collaborative effort between TVRI Yogyakarta and the Center for Consultation and Legal Aid (PKBH) of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Gadjah Mada, with the support of the Kejaksaan Tinggi Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta.
This initiative forms part of the implementation of the Tri Dharma of Higher Education, particularly in its community service dimension, reflecting the Faculty’s commitment to delivering impactful, meaningful, and high-quality contributions to the public.
The Pro Justicia broadcast commenced at 3:00 PM (WIB) and featured speakers from diverse professional backgrounds. Among the distinguished speakers were Dr. Heribertus Jaka Triyana, S.H., LL.M., M.A., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, and Information Systems at the Faculty of Law UGM, and Arif Raharjo, S.H., M.H., Assistant for Civil and State Administrative Affairs at the Yogyakarta High Prosecutor’s Office.
During the talk show, Mr. Arif Raharjo explained the establishment of the Datun Suluh Praja Legal Counseling Program as a strategic effort to enhance legal understanding among communities, particularly village officials in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The Datun Suluh Praja initiative has become one of the flagship programs addressing grassroots legal issues across various sectors. Legal concerns are identified through a bottom-up approach based on the specific needs of each kalurahan, with subject-matter experts from academia engaged to provide comprehensive guidance.
“This collaboration has been ongoing for more than five years since 2021 and has demonstrated its tangible impact on kalurahan development,” stated Professor Heribertus Jaka Triyana, highlighting the consistent progress of the Datun Suluh Praja program in strengthening village governance throughout the Special Region of Yogyakarta.
Beyond legal counseling, the Faculty of Law UGM and the Yogyakarta High Prosecutor’s Office also collaborate through the Assistance in the Drafting of Kalurahan Regulations program. This initiative aims to ensure that local regulations are responsive to community needs and aligned with evolving social dynamics. The program further supports the role of village heads (lurah) in governance administration, public service delivery, community empowerment, and the maintenance of public order, while promoting the emergence of legally aware village administrations.
Through educational, practical, and participatory approaches, this collaboration is expected to produce village regulations that are harmonized with national legislation, responsive to local needs, and capable of strengthening sustainable village governance. Such an approach not only reinforces the rule of law but also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice for all, and the development of effective and accountable institutions at all levels. Furthermore, this initiative reflects strengthened collaboration among higher education institutions, media, and law enforcement authorities, embodying SDG Goal 17 on partnerships for achieving sustainable development. Through participatory and educational engagement, the spirit of advancing justice is expected to grow and resonate more broadly within society.
Author: Meirhina Elnanda Puan Bidari (PKBH FH UGM)
