New Perspective on the Modernization of Nagari Minangkabau: Aulia Rahmat Public Defense Examination
Efforts to protect Nagari as local wisdom tend to lead to local bureaucratization, which is caused by the objective relations formed by the state towards Nagari. Local bureaucratization has reduced Nagari’s value as a social system built by the complexity of Minangkabau community relations.
The Doctoral Study Program of Law, Faculty of Law, Universitas Islam Indonesia (UII), held the public defence examination in the Auditorium on the 4th floor, Faculty of Law, UII on (30/11). Aulia Rahmat, a doctoral candidate, successfully earned her doctorate by defending her dissertation titled “Reformulation of State Policy in Protecting Local Wisdom: A Study of Nagari Dynamics and Sustainability in West Sumatra.”
Aulia Rahmat, the doctoral candidate, explained, “My dissertation originally aimed to explore the challenges and transformations of Nagari within Indonesia’s modern government system. Some experts view these changes as a way to modernize Nagari, integrating it with the post-independence government. On the flip side, concerns arise that these changes might disconnect Nagari from its roots. Previous research often focused solely on the artifacts in Minangkabau relations within Nagari, overlooking the broader components of Minangkabau as a social system. In this dissertation, I strive to offer a fresh perspective on the relationships within Nagari and propose a model for healthy interactions between Nagari and the state.”
On this occasion, the public defense examination session was chaired by the Dean of Faculty of Law, Prof. Dr. Budi Agus Riswandi, S.H., M.Hum., with members consisting of Promotor, Prof. Dr. Esmi Warassih Pujirahayu S.H., M.S., Co-Promotor, Prof. Dr. M. Syamsudin, S.H., M.H., with examiners: Prof. Dr. Sudjito, S.H., M.Si, Dr. Yance Arizona, S.H., M.H., M.A., Prof. Dr. Ni’matul Huda, S.H., M.Hum., and Dr. Suparman Marzuki, S.H., M.Si.
After presenting her dissertation and answering the examiners’ questions, Aulia Rahmat obtained the title of Doctor of Law. Dr. Aulia Rahmat, S.H.I, M.A.HK. now officially a graduate of the doctoral program of law. His supervisor, Prof. Dr. Esmi Warassih Pujirahayu S.H., M.S., praised this extraordinary dissertation, emphasizing its importance in reviving forgotten aspects of Indonesian local wisdom. The promotor congratulated Dr. Aulia Rahmat and advised him not to adopt the philosophy of banana trees, which only bear fruit once and then die. Instead, she suggests to addpot the philosophy of mango trees that bear fruit continuously and provide enjoyment for everyone.
