The Government of East Seram (SBT) Regency, in collaboration with Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF), with support from the GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia Programme, finalized the draft Regent Regulation on the Recognition and Protection of the Kiltay Customary Law Community (MHA) on Tuesday (23 June). The milestone marks an important step toward strengthening the formal recognition of Indigenous Peoples while advancing sustainable management of coastal and marine resources based on local wisdom.

The event brought together representatives of the regional government, the Kiltay Indigenous Peoples, academia, and other key stakeholders. East Seram Regent Fachri Husni Alkatiri officially opened the event, emphasizing that recognizing Customary Law Community is a form of respect for communities that have safeguarded their customary territories and natural resources for generations.

East Seram Regent Fachri Husni Alkatiri officially opens the Technical Assistance for the Recognition of the Kiltay Customary Law Community and the Finalization of the Draft Regent Regulation on Kilitay MHA, Bula, 23 June 2026.

In his remarks, Regent Fachri Husni Alkatiri stated that Customary Law Community maintain deep connections with their customary territories, customary land rights, and traditional knowledge passed down through generations. He noted that the Regent Regulation is more than an administrative requirement; it also represents an important effort to fostering inclusive and sustainable regional development.

"This Regent Regulation not only fulfils administrative and regulatory requirements but also reflects the Government's commitment to respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples while strengthening customary institutions as an integral part of sustainable regional development," the Regent said.

He further explained that once enacted, the regulation will make Kiltay the third Customary Law Community to receive formal recognition in East Seram Regency, following Kataloka on Gorom Island and Amarsekaru.

Head of the East Seram Fisheries Service Surahman; Assistant for Governance and Social Welfare Ramly Kilwarany; Head of the Customary Law Community and Local Communities Working Team of the Directorate of Coastal and Small Islands Utilization (P4K), Tely Dasaluti; and the Site Manager of Fisheries Management Area (FMA) 715 Hasan Sangadji, representing the PMU Project Manager of GEF-6 CFI Indonesia, attend the Technical Assistance for the Recognition of the Kiltay Customary Law Community, Bula, 23 June 2026.

Surahman, Head of the East Seram Fisheries Service, highlighted the vital role of Customary Law Community in conserving coastal and marine ecosystems. He noted that customary practices rooted in local wisdom have consistently proven effective in maintaining ecological balance while supporting community livelihoods.

"The local wisdom upheld by Indigenous Peoples greatly supports government efforts to conserve coastal and marine ecosystems for present and future generations," he said.

He added that the Regent Regulation is expected to serve not merely as a legal document but also as a foundation for strengthening local livelihoods, preserving cultural heritage, and empowering Indigenous Peoples in a sustainable manner. The Fisheries Service, he said, will continue supporting policy implementation through technical assistance, capacity strengthening, and cross-sector collaboration.

Signing of the official record documenting the finalization of the Draft Regent Regulation on the Recognition and Protection of the Kiltay Customary Law Community (MHA), Bula, 23 June 2026.

Representing the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, Tely Dasaluti, Head of the Customary Law Community and Local Communities Working Team at the Directorate of Coastal and Small Islands Utilization (P4K), emphasised that customary law communities form an indivisible whole with their land and maritime territories.  Therefore, institutional recognition must be accompanied by legal protection of customary management areas through appropriate spatial planning and zoning mechanisms.

She explained that MMAF has supported the recognition of Kilitay MHA process from the outset, including customary community identification, document preparation, joint validation with the recognition committee, and finalization of the Regent Regulation. Following its enactment, the next step will be integrating the community's customary management area into the provincial marine spatial plan.

Beyond strengthening the legal framework, MMAF also continues to promote community capacity strengthening, sustainable coastal livelihood development, and the preservation of traditional knowledge that has long contributed to the sustainable management of natural resources.

On the same occasion, Hasan Sangadji, the FMA 715 Site Manager representing the PMU Project Manager of GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia, expressed appreciation for the completion of the draft regent regulation on Kilitay MHA. He described the milestone as essential for ensuring the regulation can be enacted promptly and serve as a solid foundation for continued community assistance.

He added that implementation of the policy will facilitate support for sustainable fisheries management while improving the livelihoods of coastal communities. Hasan also emphasized that GEF-6 CFI Indonesia has worked with Kiltay for many years as one of its demonstration villages through a range of capacity-strengthening initiatives and livelihood development programmes.

"GEF-6 CFI Indonesia has supported Kiltay for many years as one of our demonstration villages through various human capacity strengthening initiatives and productive livelihood support. We therefore remain committed to accompanying the community until the completion of the project," he said.

Through the completion of the draft Regent Regulation, the SBT Government, together with MMAF and GEF-6 Coastal Fisheries Initiative (CFI) Indonesia, expects the formal recognition of the Kiltay MHA to provide a strong foundation for more equitable, sustainable, and community-based coastal and marine resource management.

The recognition is expected not only to provide legal certainty but also to strengthen the role of Indigenous Peoples as the foremost stewards of coastal and marine ecosystems for future generations.

The event concluded with the signing of the official record documenting the finalization of the draft Regent Regulation on the Recognition and Protection of the Kiltay Customary Law Community (MHA). The document was signed by the Raja (customary ruler) of Kiltay on behalf of the Kiltay Customary Law Community, the Government of East Seram Regency, and representatives of the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF). The signing symbolized the shared commitment of all stakeholders to the finalized regulation and marked the completion of a key milestone before the Regent Regulation is formally enacted.