An academic delegate from Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) once again demonstrated the university’s international presence through active participation in the International Colloquium on Policy and Governance. The forum, organized by the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies (FSPP), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) at its Shah Alam Campus, Malaysia, on Thursday, 4 June 2026, featured Andi Rahmat Hidayat, M.Si., Ph.D. (Cand.) as one of the keynote speakers. He is a lecturer in the Department of Administrative Science, FISIP UNHAS, and is currently pursuing his doctoral studies at the Department of Public Administration, Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands.
The academic forum was conducted in an interactive atmosphere and was enthusiastically attended by faculty members and students of FSPP UiTM, as well as a delegation of students from the Master of Public Administration (MAP) Program, FISIP UNHAS.
During his presentation, Andi Rahmat Hidayat delivered a research paper entitled “Democratization and Customary Land Struggle in Indonesia: Challenges and Prospects for Securing Customary Land Rights.” The study examined the complex dynamics surrounding the recognition of indigenous land rights in Indonesia in the post-Reformasi era. He explained that although Indonesia has undergone significant democratization and decentralization reforms since 1998, further strengthened by Constitutional Court Decision No. 35/2012, the actual recognition of customary land rights on the ground remains limited. According to data from the Indigenous Peoples Registration Agency (BRWA) in 2024, only approximately 13.8 percent—or 240 out of 1,425 traditional indigenous communities—have received formal recognition, while the allocation of customary forests represents only a small fraction of the country’s total potential customary forest area.
To explore the root causes of this issue, the study employed an analytical framework that identified key obstacles, including legal fragmentation, clientelistic informal institutions, and the persistence of predatory elites. These factors were analyzed alongside enabling conditions such as collective community action and reform-oriented leadership. Comparative case studies were conducted in three regions on Sulawesi Island: Enrekang Regency, Sinjai Regency, and Pasangkayu Regency. The findings revealed varying outcomes at the local level. The indigenous community in Enrekang successfully secured full recognition, while Sinjai achieved partial success. In contrast, Pasangkayu was unable to obtain recognition due to strong legal fragmentation, the influence of extractive industries, and the absence of reform-oriented leadership. The research concluded that indigenous communities capable of establishing close informal relationships with influential political actors—and those not confronted by alliances between state and business elites—have a significantly greater chance of navigating complex procedures and securing formal legal recognition.
The data-rich presentation concluded with a lively and engaging discussion session involving participants from both institutions. The academic atmosphere became even more dynamic as the discussion evolved into a comparative examination of customary land governance policies in Malaysia, including those implemented in Peninsular Malaysia as well as in Sabah and Sarawak. This international colloquium is expected not only to serve as a platform for disseminating cutting-edge research from both universities but also to strengthen future strategic collaborations, particularly in the development of joint research initiatives among faculty members and the implementation of student exchange programs.
