Minister Risma Offers Solutions Based on the Traditions of Suku Anak Dalam

BATANGHARI (August 21, 2024) - The children of Suku Anak Dalam Tribe in the interior of Hajran Village, Bathin XXIV District, Batanghari Regency, Jambi Province, were busy that Wednesday (8/20/2024) afternoon. Among the oil palm trees, they happily followed the directions of officers from Ministry of Social Affairs who invited them to play and sing. One by one the children were given red and white flags. Some game equipment was also taken out. Some of the Anak Rimba, another name for SAD, were already fully dressed, but some were not, especially the girls. Ministry of Social Affairs staff rushed to put on their clothes, and they were happy.

Suku Anak Dalam is a unique language used in intra-community communication, including children. However, make no mistake, Anak Rimba had no difficulty when taught to sing. Several songs were taught, such as "satu-satu, aku sayang ibu." The lyrics were changed to "satu-satu, sayang ibu menteri." They were enthusiastic, asking for practice many times so they wouldn't get it wrong.  Their efforts paid off when Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini was impressed when they performed.

In front of Minister Risma, the children of Suku Anak Dalam showed off their skills. Enthusiastically, they answered various questions. "What letter is this?" asked Risma while pointing to the letter C, answered correctly by a child named Arga. The interaction continued. Minister Risma was very impressed with Arga's intelligence who could answer questions correctly. In front of Minister Risma, Arga said he wanted to be a soldier. Arga's intelligence is not without reason. Of the dozens of children in the Tumenggung Ngalembo and Tumenggung Ngalembu Groups, only two children attend school, one of whom is Arga.

In addition to social issues, issues of education and children's health are also of special concern to Minister Risma. The children of Suku Anak Dalam do not go to school or drop out of school because they have to move to follow their parents who go "melangun." Melangun is a tradition of moving because of grief, usually because a member of the group has died.  During the melangun, children live with their parents in the forest or on oil palm plantations. There is only a tarpaulin as a roof, no sleeping mat, pillows, or mattresses.

Melangun is a tradition. If you don't do it, you're not a Rimba person. During a dialogue with tumenggung (chief of Suku Anak Dalam), Minister of Social Affairs was seen in a dilemma several times. This is because several proposals for assistance were not accepted. The reason was again that they had to melangun. However, Minister of Social Affairs Risma did not give up. "If we have to keep moving, it's a shame for the children. They have to go to school and their health must be taken care of," said Minister Risma, persuading the tumenggung. The tumenggung realizes that children's rights must be fulfilled. However, their ancestral heritage also deserves to be respected. They expressed their appreciation for the government's assistance but were worried that assistance such as permanent housing would not be used, thus harming the country.

After exchanging ideas for some time, finally, Minister Risma and the tumenggung agreed. Minister Risma offered the concept of building settlements in one area. The government will build several settlements as melangun destinations.  As an illustration, four settlements will be built in one area. Suku Anak Dalam residents can move from settlement 1 to settlement 2, then to settlements 3 and 4. The existence of permanent settlements will facilitate the distribution of aid by the regional and central governments. In each settlement, education and health facilities will be built. The goal is for children to be able to go to school and for their health to be guaranteed.

So far, the distribution of aid has been hampered due to Suku Anak Dalam being difficult to find because they often move. Social Affairs Minister Risma promised to follow the suggestions and input of the tumenggung in the development of the area later. "We will make the building with boards that have gaps, so the wind can enter. The roof is also made of sago, so the impression of the forest is still felt," said the Chairman of the Jambi Provincial Legislative Council, Edi Purwanto, who accompanied Minister Risma. Handling Remote Indigenous Communities does have unique challenges, but that does not mean the government is not taking action. Minister Risma's dialogue with the tumenggung is a form of good practice in which aid recipients become "subjects." They play a role in development that they will also feel the benefits of themselves.  Together with remote indigenous communities, Minister Risma offers solutions while respecting traditions.