SMAM Establishes Langkat Regional Board, Strengthens Partnership Between Malay Indigenous Community and Langkat Sultanate

LANGKAT | INDATANEWS.COM - The Syarikat Masyarakat Adat Melayu (SMAM) of East Sumatra continues to strengthen its organizational network at the regional level. The Central Executive Board (DPP) of SMAM East Sumatra and the Kuala Begumit Indigenous Community have officially agreed to establish the Regional Executive Board (DPD) of SMAM for Langkat Regency.

The agreement was reached during a meeting held at the Kuala Begumit Traditional Hall in Langkat Regency on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

The establishment marks a significant milestone in advancing the rights of the Malay Indigenous Community while reinforcing the long-standing historical relationship between indigenous communities and the Sultanate of Negeri Langkat.

Through the newly established regional board, SMAM aims to coordinate programs focused on preserving Malay traditions, safeguarding cultural heritage, and protecting the constitutional rights of indigenous peoples in a more structured and effective manner.

The meeting followed a series of initiatives previously initiated by leaders of the Kuala Begumit Indigenous Community, HAMBE, the Badan Perjuangan Rakyat Penunggu Indonesia (BPRPI), and SMAM East Sumatra. Those discussions culminated in the official establishment of the DPD SMAM Langkat Regency.

Historical Ties Become the Foundation of the Organization

Chairman of the Central Executive Board of SMAM East Sumatra, Tengku Ariefadillah, said Kuala Begumit was selected as the venue because of its historical significance in the development of the Malay community in Langkat.

According to him, the Kuala Begumit Indigenous Community historically formed part of the Kejuruan Bingai territory, which has maintained close historical ties with the Sultanate of Negeri Langkat. Those historical connections became the primary foundation for establishing the regional board.

"The Kuala Begumit Indigenous Community was historically part of the Kejuruan Bingai territory and has long maintained close ties with the Sultanate of Negeri Langkat. This emotional and historical bond, combined with our shared vision and mission to preserve the dignity of Malay culture, traditions, cultural heritage, and the constitutional rights of indigenous peoples under the patronage of the Malay Sultanates, forms the foundation for establishing the Langkat Regional Board," Tengku Ariefadillah said.

He emphasized that the strong participation of community members reflected a collective determination to build an organization capable of representing the interests of the Malay community more effectively.

"Alhamdulillah, the enthusiasm shown by the people of Kuala Begumit and neighboring areas has been extraordinary. It demonstrates the desire of the indigenous community to unite in protecting the dignity of Malay culture. Through the establishment of this regional board, community advocacy will become more systematic and closely coordinated with the Sultanate. Following Langkat, we will establish additional regional boards in Medan and Serdang Bedagai, as well as provincial boards across East Sumatra and other regions of Indonesia," he said.

Tengku Ariefadillah added that SMAM currently operates under the patronage of the Sultan of Negeri Langkat, Tuanku Ariefanda Aziz Abduldjalil Rahmadsyah, and the Sultan of Serdang, Tuanku Akhmad Thala'a Syariful Alamsyah. He expressed hope that more Malay Sultanates would join the movement to further strengthen coordinated advocacy for indigenous communities.

Laskar Setia Diraja Officially Formed

In addition to establishing the DPD SMAM Langkat, the meeting also officially announced the leadership structure of Laskar Setia Diraja, which will serve as the organization's frontline unit in supporting SMAM programs.

Laskar Setia Diraja is expected to become a strategic partner in preserving the dignity of Malay culture, strengthening solidarity among indigenous communities, safeguarding traditional values, and supporting programs aimed at empowering indigenous peoples throughout the Sultanate of Negeri Langkat.

Among those attending the meeting were SMAM Advisor Tengku Pangeran Kendy Hamzah, Raja of Kejuruan Bingai Tengku Darfisyam, SMAM Patron Tengku Zulkifli Hamzah, HAMBE Chairman and SMAM Deputy Chairman for Legal Affairs Ariffani, SH, MH, Commander of Laskar Setia Diraja of the Sultanate of Negeri Langkat Syarifudin alias Arief Vueh, Chairman of the Kuala Begumit Indigenous Community Datok Harun Nuh, representatives of BPRPI, AMAN, and numerous other indigenous community leaders.

The broad participation of various organizations and traditional institutions highlighted a shared commitment to strengthening the position of indigenous communities through structured organizations rooted in Malay cultural values.

Advocacy for Customary Land Rights Intensified

Representing the Kuala Begumit Indigenous Community, Datok Harun Nuh said the community had waited many years for the opportunity to officially reconnect with the Sultanate of Negeri Langkat.

"We have waited for this meeting for many years. Today, the indigenous community and its Sultan are reunited. This marks a new beginning for the Malay Indigenous Community alongside the Sultanate of Langkat. For decades we struggled alone, facing intimidation and threats while hoping for this day. With the restoration of relations between the indigenous community and the Sultan of Langkat, our customary land rights are now fully recognized under the Constitution," Datok Harun said.

HAMBE Chairman and SMAM Deputy Chairman for Legal Affairs Ariffani, SH, MH, stressed that the struggle of the Kuala Begumit Indigenous Community is supported by a strong legal foundation.

"The Kuala Begumit Indigenous Community is implementing the mandates of the 1945 Constitution, Law No. 5 of 2017, the Basic Agrarian Law, the Draft Law on Indigenous Peoples, and Regional Regulation No. 2 of 2019 concerning Indigenous Communities. Therefore, every legal action taken by the community is lawful and constitutional," Ariffani stated.

He further explained that any form of intimidation or threat against the indigenous community constitutes not only an attack on the constitutional position of the Sultanate of Langkat but also a violation of national legislation and regional regulations. HAMBE therefore called on all parties to respect the customary land rights of the Kuala Begumit Indigenous Community under the banner of the Sultanate of Langkat.

"HAMBE has prepared a structured legal advocacy program for the future. Several measures have already been implemented, although they cannot yet be disclosed publicly due to confidentiality considerations. We are confident that His Majesty Sultan Tuanku Ariefanda Aziz Abdullah Djalil Rahma Shah will actively support and protect the customary land rights of indigenous communities throughout his territory, whether they involve concession areas or customary lands," Ariffani said.

The establishment of the DPD SMAM Langkat Regency marks the beginning of a stronger organizational network for the Malay Indigenous Community across the region. The organization is expected to serve as a platform for preserving cultural identity, defending constitutional rights, and strengthening the historical relationship between indigenous communities and the Sultanate of Negeri Langkat. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala