Monday, 02 November 2026
LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Kotapinang urban village administration in Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency, North Sumatra, has partnered with the Insan Cita Legal Aid Institute (Lembaga Bantuan Hukum, LBH) to provide free legal advice to the public. The programme aims to improve access to legal support for residents who need information and guidance but face financial barriers or lack sufficient legal knowledge.
The agreement was formalised on Monday, 2 November 2026, through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Kotapinang urban village administration office. The partnership marks a step by the local administration towards extending access to justice at neighbourhood level.Those involved in signing the MoU included Kotapinang Urban Village Head Mirwan Sentosa Siregar, the head of the legal and human rights division of MD KAHMI Labuhanbatu Selatan and representative of LBH Insan Cita, Dayu Putra, S.H., M.H., and LBH Insan Cita Director Muhammad Dodi Pranata, S.H.
Under the programme, residents will be able to obtain legal information, guidance and advice free of charge. The service is intended to help people better understand their rights and responsibilities and identify initial solutions when faced with legal problems."The partnership we are establishing today with LBH Insan Cita is an initial step and a concrete commitment by the Kotapinang urban village administration to inclusive public services, particularly in facilitating access to justice for all residents. However, ensuring equal access to justice is a major responsibility that requires comprehensive cooperation," Mirwan said.
In Mirwan's view, access to justice should not be reserved for people with sufficient financial resources. Every resident should have an equal opportunity to understand their rights and responsibilities and know what appropriate steps to take when confronted with legal difficulties.He emphasised that financial constraints, limited legal knowledge and fear of legal proceedings often discouraged people from seeking assistance. These circumstances could prevent residents from obtaining legal protection and asserting their rights.
The Kotapinang urban village administration is therefore opening the door to cooperation with a range of partners, including legal aid organisations, advocacy groups and legal professionals committed to protecting and upholding the rights of the community.According to Mirwan, the more community stakeholders involved in providing legal assistance and education, the greater the public's chances of securing adequate legal protection.
To support the programme, the urban village administration will provide the necessary infrastructure, including a consultation room and other supporting facilities. These provisions are intended to make the service more accessible and enable residents to raise their concerns.
LBH Insan Cita will provide a team of professional lawyers and paralegals to advise the public. The legal professionals will help residents obtain reliable information before deciding on further action to address their legal problems.The organisers have also guaranteed the confidentiality of information and legal concerns shared by residents. This assurance is an important part of creating a safe environment and building public confidence in the service.
By protecting confidential information, residents are expected to feel more encouraged to discuss their problems openly. Public trust is a key factor in ensuring that the service operates effectively and reaches groups in need of assistance.The partnership between the Kotapinang urban village administration and LBH Insan Cita will initially run for one year. Both parties may extend the agreement by mutual consent.
Legal matters often become complicated not only because of the seriousness of a problem but also because information is sought too late and rights and responsibilities are not understood in a timely manner. Through the service, residents will have the opportunity to ask questions, seek advice and obtain initial legal guidance before deciding on further action.
The programme will also enable residents to identify legal problems at an earlier stage. With sufficient knowledge, they will be better equipped to make informed decisions and avoid actions that could potentially worsen their circumstances.The programme's effectiveness, however, will depend largely on the continuity of the service, its accessibility to the public and the quality of the advice provided. Consistent implementation will be essential to ensure that the partnership does not end with the signing of the MoU.
The Kotapinang urban village administration and LBH Insan Cita now share responsibility for ensuring that the service operates in accordance with the needs of the community. An accessible service that responds to residents' concerns will play an important role in strengthening public trust.The partnership represents an initial step towards a public service that goes beyond administrative matters and addresses fundamental community needs: reliable information, the protection of rights and access to justice.
Through free legal advice at urban village level, the Kotapinang administration is seeking to ensure that neither financial constraints nor a lack of legal knowledge prevent residents from seeking information and gaining the opportunity to pursue justice. (IDNC)REPORTER: Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
