2023 HLUN Commemoration Series, Elderly Couples in Dharmasraya Begin Marriage Confirmation Procession

DHARMASRAYA (May 23, 2023) -The Ministry of Social Affairs facilitated Isbat Nikah for the elderly (lansia) who were married in secret in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra, so that they could legally register their marriage in the eyes of positive Indonesian law. The Isbat Nikah activity was carried out for eight couples at the Religious Court of Pulau Punjung District, Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra, Monday morning.

"This is for the welfare of the elderly; they can be untroubled because their marriage has been legalized by the state. Thus, their biological children can get legal certainty if they have inheritance," said the Director of Social Rehabilitation for the Elderly, Supomo, in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra, Monday.

The elderly also received guiding from the Ministry of Social Affairs as the process is not simple to obtain a Decree (SK) from the Religious Court. The Ministry's guide includes presenting witnesses to the marriage and evidence of data that strengthens that the elderly couple has been married according to religion.

After receiving the decree, elderly couples are expected to register their marriage at the local Religious Affairs Office (KUA) and update their population status at the local Population and Civil Registration Service (Dukcapil).

Marriage confirmation is important for legal certainty and fulfillment of civil rights for husband and wife and their descendants, facilitating access to public services, ensuring the welfare and certainty of child custody, and building awareness of local governments to ensure that all citizens' civil rights are fulfilled.

The judges for Marriage Confirmation for the eight couples were Afif Waldy, S.H.I, M.H.I and M Rifai, S.H.I, M.H.I.

One of the elderly couples who finally received a marriage confirmation decree was Mr. Hasan (82) and Mrs. Fatimah (69). The couple who had been married in secret for 25 years were able to breathe a sigh of relief after the judge legalized their marriage.

"I am happy and relieved," said Hasan.

Hasan and his wife hope that after the trial, they will immediately receive population documents so that they can register their family as beneficiaries.

In line with Hasan, an elderly couple, Ibrahim (73) and Keniang (61) felt relieved and grateful for the Isbat Nikah trial facility from the Ministry of Social Affairs which had legalized their marriage.

Keniang hopes that with the legalization of the marriage, her children will receive legal certainty so that they can receive social assistance from government programs in the future.

"I was nervous, but alhamdulillah (thank you to the God) it's legal. Thank you, the Ministry of Social Affairs for your assistance," said Keniang.

The Isbat Nikah trial will be held for three days, namely May 22, 25, and 29, 2023 in order to commemorate the 27th National Elderly Day (HLUN) in 2023, which will be attended by a total of 32 couples.

The Isbat Nikah will be held in three locations, namely the Pulau Punjung Religious Court, the Regent's Office Auditorium and at the Tebing Tinggi Village Head's Office, Dharmasraya Regency.

The cost of Isbat Nikah such as registration, accommodation, transportation and consumption are fully borne by the Ministry of Social Affairs through the Padang Center for Social Welfare Education and Training (BBPPKS).

Ministry of Social Affairs Chooses Dharmasraya as the Peak of HLUN 2023

Isbat Nikah is part of a series of commemorations of National Elderly Day (HLUN) which is commemorated on May 29 every year.

Taking the theme "Care for Elderly, Dignified Indonesia", the peak event of HLUN 2023 will be held in Dharmasraya Regency, West Sumatra Province, May 29, 2023.

Head of the Social Office for Women's Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning (DinsosP3APPKB) of Dharmasraya Regency, Martin Efendi, said that 891 elderly people had not registered their marriages.

"The reason for not being officially married is because in the village, being old makes it impossible to take care of marriage documents, so they choose to have an underhand marriage (nikah siri), which is not registered by the state," he said when contacted some time ago.

The high number of underhand marriages for the elderly is because when they got married decades ago, they did not get a marriage certificate. The unregistered previous marriage has an impact on the second marriage. When the elderly want to take care of the marriage, the divorce certificate cannot be issued because there is no marriage certificate from the previous marriage.

In addition to Isbat nikah, the series of HLUN 2023 in Dharmasraya will also facilitate the fulfillment of the civil rights of the elderly such as making E-KTP, birth certificates, and Family Cards. This service is provided in an integrated manner by the Religious Court, the Ministry of Religion Office, and Population and Civil Registry.