Wednesday, 17 June 2026
MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM – Medan Mayor Rico Tri Putra Bayu Waas has urged community-based and family-oriented organizations to embrace technological advancement as a means of strengthening cultural values and kinship ties. He conveyed the message during the opening of the National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of Persadaan Siboro Dohot Boruna (Parsibo), held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at the Grand Mercure Medan.
During the event, Mayor Rico Waas placed strong emphasis on the ongoing digitalization of the Tarombo (genealogy) system developed by Parsibo. He described the initiative as a strategic step aligned with current developments and a potential model for other kinship-based organizations across Indonesia.
He noted that digital transformation has reshaped nearly all aspects of society, including culturally rooted organizations based on marga traditions. According to him, adaptation is essential to maintain relevance in a rapidly changing world.
Technology, he stressed, should not be viewed as a threat to cultural preservation, but rather as a tool to strengthen identity and expand community benefits. The digital Tarombo allows family members to access genealogical information more quickly, accurately, and without limitations of distance or time.
Through an integrated digital system, family lineages can be traced more clearly, enabling dispersed relatives to reconnect. The platform also provides easier access for younger generations who prefer fast and practical digital solutions, transforming Tarombo into a modern genealogical database.
He further emphasized that digitalization plays a key role in intergenerational knowledge transfer, ensuring that family history and cultural values are sustainably documented and preserved.
Structured family data, he said, could open opportunities for collaboration by mapping education, professions, skills, and entrepreneurial activities within the community. This integration could support access to education, career development, and targeted empowerment programs.
He also called for deeper technical discussions during the Rakernas to ensure the success of the initiative, stressing that data quality would determine the system's effectiveness.
He said that a strong cultural identity within families can help guide young people and protect them from negative influences in the digital space, offering stability in an increasingly complex society.
He concluded his remarks by expressing hope that Parsibo's Rakernas would produce programs that integrate technological innovation with cultural preservation, strengthening identity and collective progress. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Teguh Panjaitan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
