Dayak masses hold a traditional ritual in Sanggau over a customary dispute

Thekabarnews.com—A traditional ritual took place along the Sosok–Sanggau National Road in Dusun Moling, Sanggau Regency’s Tayan Hulu District, West Kalimantan, on February 18. There were hundreds of people from different Dayak community organizations during the ritual.

The Dayak Customary Council (DAD) in the Tayan Hulu District and Dayak mass groups in the Sanggau Regency worked together to prepare the ritual. They performed the rite in front of the Simpang Tigo Restaurant. This ritual strongly emphasized rumors that someone had misused the name of a traditional organization.

The controversy is around Jungkarnain Sagala, who is said to have used the name of the Tayan Hulu DAD in an official Dayak letter dated December 18, 2025. This is the problem that led to the war. This letter from PT APS sought for HGU, which stands for “Land Cultivation Rights.” The adat institution’s leaders say that what happened was wrong because it broke customary law. Additionally, they say the incident was an abuse of power.

The DAD head in the Tayan Hulu District gave Jungkarnain Sagala the same penalty he always got shortly after the event. The traditional Dayak chiefs in the villages of Tayan Hulu agreed to pay a fine of Rp123,060,000 each. The sentence makes it very obvious that the perpetrator must pay and be fully responsible. However, the leaders of the community say that there has not been an official response to the decision yet.

DAD Tayan Hulu head Heriyanto indicated that the old school can penalize anyone they think has disobeyed the regulations. Additionally, he said the Dayak communities’ cooperation shows they fear an attack on their culture and dignity.

The people who put on the ritual said it was more than just a way to show respect. Instead, it sends a strong message that people should always be polite and do what they are told. 

The ritual showed that customary law is still essential in West Kalimantan. This is because it helps people who live there get along and work out their problems.