Padang, W Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Communication and Information Minister Tifatul Sembiring and Regional Representatives (DPD) Chairman Irman Gusman were on Saturday awarded the Minang or West Sumatra customary title of "Datuak."

Tifatul Sembiring was awarded the title of "Datuak Tumangguang" from the Koto tribe, while Irman Gusman was given the title "Datuak Rajo Nan Labiah" from the Pisang clan, Minangkabau tribal gathering institution (LKAAM) secretary M Sayuti Dt Rajo Panghulu said here on Saturday.

Tifatul Sembiring and Irman Gusman were among 47 Ninik Mamak or community leaders who received the traditional titles at a function which took place at the Nagari Guguak Tabek Sarojo, "IV Koto" sub-district, Agam district, West Sumatra.

Sayuti on the occasion said that the Ninik Mamak (community leaders)`s existence in West Sumatra should be recognized by the state.
Ninik mamak should be respected in the country because they always strive to uphold the truth, he said.

But in reality it could happen that Ninik Mamak member was arrested by the police because he was trying to uphold the truth, he said.

Citing an example, he said, it had happened in the past that a Ninik Mamak member was arrested because he had applied a customary law in a village.

The case began when the Ninik Mamak after conducting consultation decided to expel a young man and woman from their village because they violated traditional norms on unmarried man-woman relationships.

The pair of youth, however, complained to the police about the Ninik Mamak`s decision which they described as an unpleasant act.

After receiving the pair`s complaint, local police arrested the Ninik Mamak member concerned and detained him for a day and night.

Therefore, Sayuti urged the provincial police chief, the provincial higher prosecutor`s office chief not to arrest Ninik Mamak who uphold the truth.

The customary award function was among others attended by former West Sumatra governor H.Azwar Anas, West Sumatra governor Marlis Rahman, and the US Consul General in Medan, North Sumatra, Stanley Harsha.(*)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
COPYRIGHT © 2012

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