Adat Law: This term originated from the Arabian language that means “customary”.It is
predominantly unwritten law based on customary traditions.
2
Adat has rules which have
historical significance and thus are to be followed. It can be broken down into three elements:
1. Adat as customs or behaviours which are customary
2. Adat as taxexcise pursuant to applicable rules
3. Adat as an entity of culture which consists or values, norms, laws and rules that may
unite with other elements to form a system Balinese Traditional Law:This is Adat law applied only in Balinese communities who
embrace Hindu as their religion.
Hak Waris: Hak Waris is best translated as inheritance rights. That which is passed onto a
son or daughter, not upon death, rather upon marriage.
Traditional Community: Is a form of togetherness within a community social system. It is a
personal and intimate form of community where members share thoughts, perceptions and territory. Ter Haar said that traditional community is a well ordered group with their own
materials and immaterials good and tools.
3
Refers to a unity between traditional people who have engaged with local territory, genealogy.
Rightful heritage:This term is used to address one who has a just or legally established
claim over heritage.
4
Hindu:Is a religion that originated in India. Bali Island, Hindu is the most common religion
embraced by the Balinese people. It is not a culture, but rather a faith to God. The Hindu population on Bali island is approximately 83, 46 around3,247,283 people.
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INTRODUCTION
Adat is the reflection of a nation, which is the accomplishment from the spirit of the nation that has been followed for centuries. Indonesia has its own Adat law , as well as its
2
Kamus Besar Bahasa Indonesia KBBI.
3
Soerjono Soekanto, 2011, Hukum Adat Indonesia, PT. RajaGrafindo Persada, Jakarta, hal. 9.
4
Meriam-Webster Dictionaryhttp:beta.merriam-webster.comshopproductsbooksdictionary-of- law.htm.
5
Bali Province Statistic Institution 2010.
traditional communities.
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Therefore, this research is intended to gain a greater understanding of the effect of Adat law in Balinese traditional communities. We initially intended to explore
the discrimination of women in traditional Balinese communities, with a specific focus on Hak Waris, otherwise described as inheritance customs that apply in traditional customary
law. In Australia ‘inheritance’ derives immediate connotations of a possessions being transferred upon the death of an individual. However, in Balinese Adat law, commonly
referred to as customary law, Hak Waris is applied upon marriage. Our research surprised us from the very start, and changed direction very abruptly after a
meeting with Professor Windia, University of Udayana’s own expert in Adat Law. This wasto discuss discrimination as a result of the application of Hak Waris in Balinese
communities. However, he informed us that one must not focus soley on women, but realise that this customary law actually discriminates men also. The issue appears to have arisen
given that it’s more common application to women, hence why the perception of women’s’ discrimination can be easily mistaken, as was in our case.
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This new information narrowed our focus immediately as we were now researching potential discrimination generated by the application of the Adat law of Hak Waris in Balinese
traditional communities, irrespective of gender, and re-evaluated our field research questions and scope to focus on misconceptions and attitudes.
While the definition of Adat law in theory may seem quite structured, the application of its customs within communities is very organic. Academics have accepted the term ‘Adat’ to
refer to the collective action of implementing customary law.
RESEARCH BACKGROUND
In relation to Hak Waris in traditional communities, the perception can so often be that it is only women who are subjected to this law, and subsequently the discriminated gender when
it comes to heritage rights. In actual fact this is incorrect.Despite this common perception, our research into the background of this topic defies this belief, as Hak Waris is applied to men
equally in Adat law also. To understand and appreciate the complexities of Hak Waris, we
6
Umar Said Sugiarto,S.H.,M.S.,2014,Pengantar Hukum Indonesia,Sinar Grafika,Jakarta, hal 112.
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meeting with Prof. Windia , at Bali Santhi, Friday, December 4
th
,2015.
must first understand Adat law and how it applies in traditional communities. Hak Waris in Balinese Adat law falls under four elements.
The four elements are: 1. Pewaris The one who inherit the heritage
2. Warisan The heritage 3. Waris The next generation
4. Ahli Waris The next generation who has the rightful heritage Only elements 1, 2, and 4 are applicable in Indonesian civil law.According to the Civil Code
Article 833. “Para ahli waris, dengan sendirinya karena hukum, mendapat hak miik atas semua barang,
semua hak dan semua piutang orang yang meninggal. Bila ada perselisihan tentang siapa yang berhak menjadi ahli waris, dan dengan demikian
berhak memperoleh hak milik seperti tersebut di atas, maka Hakim dapat memerintahkan agar semua harta peninggalan itu ditaruh lebih dahulu dalam penyimpanan Pengadilan.
Negara harus berusaha agar dirinya ditempatkan pada kedudukan besit oleh Hakim, dan berkewajiban untuk memerintahkan penyegelan harta peninggalan itu, dan memerintahkan
pembuatan perincian harta itu, dalam bentuk yang ditetapkan untuk penerimaan warisan dengan hak istimewa akan pemerincian harta, dengan ancaman untuk mengganti biaya,
kerugian dan bunga. “
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“ The heirs is by law assume possession of the properties, rights and lawsuits of the deceased. In the event of a dispute over who shall be heir, and who shall be authorized to hold title to
the property, the judge may order that the properties shall be held in the courts safekeeping. The judge isorder that the Stateishold the property, andshall beobligated toseal the estate, and
have an estate descriptiondrafted, in the form of an acceptance ofinheritances stipulated pursuant to theprivilege of estate description; failure to do sois render the State liable for
compensation ofcosts, damages and interest. “
9
8
Kitab Undang-Undang Hukum Perdata.
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http:www.kuhper.comTrilingual20Indonesian20Civil20Code.pdf.
The difference between Adat Law and Civil Law is the Waris, which means the ‘next
generation’ Ahli Waris is the Waris but refers to the generation that has a rightful heritage,
because not every person has this right. The rule as applied in Adat law is that the system in the family is patrilineal patriarchy, traced through their fathers purusa, except for
Tenganan Pegringsingan Village that used the parental system.One of the important aspects in relation to marriage in Balinese traditional communities is the matter of continuing the
heritage of the parent to their heirs. It can be misleading as to read the rules of Hindu interpretedliterally appear to favour the male gender given terminology. When in actual fact,
this law applies to both genders, as if the son chooses to leave the family to marry the same law will apply, it is just more common for women to leave. According to the specific Hindu
law in Manawa Dharmasastra IX:106 In Puja and Tjok. Rai Sudharta: “ Segera setelah lahir anak yang pertama, orang mulai dipanggil ayah dari seorang
putra dan dilunaskan dari hutangnya kepada arwah orang tuanya yang telah meninggal oleh karena itu anak laki-laki itu layak menerima semua harta itu. “
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This means that as the first born islaboured, one will be called as father by the son, then the parents will no longer be bound with debt and sins. The Hindu belief is the son will release
the parents from the debts and sins rather than the daughter. Balinese people take their lineage from the man, otherwise known as a patriarchal system.
Due to Balinese customs, married women do not have any rights to the family inheritance, unlike unmarried women who retain full rights. However, if the woman becomes the
“sentana rajeg”, this means she will fulfil the mans obligations and in this instance a woman assumes full inheritance rights. This kind of marriage is called as “nyeburin”.
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If we look at this application of customary law, where both genders have the opportunity to assume full
inheritance, it is difficult to argue that this Hak Waris discriminates women only. Rightful heritage is afforded to those who are firstly Hindu, but secondly hold the
responsibility of the family andor community. There are three elements of responsibilities that must be met to 100 in order to attain 100 of heritage rights under Hak Waris. They
will be responsible to:
10
Prof. Dr. I Nyoman Budiana, S,H.,M.SI., 2014, Stridhana dan Perempuan dalam masyarakat adat Bali, Undiknas Denpasar, Bali, hal 2.
11
Ibid.
1. Parahyangan God 2. Pawongan Human
3. PalemahanNature
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To fulfil only 50 of the responsibilities will see a person only get 50 of the heritage which is why when women leave their home to marry; they are unable to fulfil these obligations,
sacrificing their rights, unless as stated earlier she is the “sentana rajeg”. The exception is if the family that has no son all of the children are daughters. Most likely, one of the
daughters usually the eldest, will be established as “sentana rajeg”the position and will be the same as son or as thepurusa.
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Therefore, the connection between the heritage, marriage and responsibilities is when a woman marries, she typically leaves her house and family to move to her husband, therefore
she is physically unable to complete 100 of the three elements of responsibilities in the house, and subsequently sacrifices her right to the heritage. If she is the only daughter
however, her husband may move to her, enabling her to stay at home and meet 100 of her responsibilities and therefore retaining her entitlement to the heritage. This is the likely
reason that the misconception of women being discriminated against has emerged, when in actual fact, the rule also applies to men, it is just more common for women to leave.
METHODOLOGY
We conducted an initial literature review of the Adat law of Hak Waris and this involved an interview with Professor Windia, the expert on Adat law at the University of Udayana.
During this meeting our focus shifted and we altered our field research to enable us to achieve it on the university campus by interviewing a pilot size sample of local students to
analyse current perceptions of Hak Waris in traditional Balinese communities. We expected that our field research results would discover similar attitudes that we originally
had adopted, the perception of gender inequality. From our field research findings and literature, we were able to suggest ways to alter the perception of the customary law, that is
not factually correct in practice.
12
Wayan P. Windia, 2013, Hukum Adat Bali Dalam Tanyajawab , Udayana University Press, Bali, hal 103 .
13
Wayan P. Windia, 2013, Hukum Adat Bali Dalam Tanyajawab , Udayana University Press, Bali, hal 104.
LEGAL ISSUES
1: Discrimination of community members if they marry and leave their home to be with partner is assumed to affect women only.
2: The Adat law of Hak Waris is applied in varying degrees within Balinese traditional communities as it is customary and not civil law.
FIELD RESEARCH
We faced a number of limitations that prevented us from getting to speak to members of traditional Balinese communities regarding Hak Waris. So instead we decided to interview a
pilot sample size of university students to analyse their perception of Hak Waris and discuss what reforms they may foresee, if any, for the future of traditional Balinese communities.
See Annex A for questions. There were some clear trends that emerged through the analysis of our interviews.
ANALYSIS
We devised a series of 5 questions to ask a sample of 10 people that constituted of 50 men and 50 women to enable us to potentially examine gender perceptions as a point of
difference. All subjects were university students under the age of 25 and all were Hindu. We asked a series of 5 questions and below is an analysis of the responses to these questions.
All students interviewed were aware of the customary law of Hak Waris in Balinese traditional communities, although many elaborated with varied yet similar interpretations.
These descriptions, upon further investigation, appeared to be influenced by the students personal background andor exposure either directly or indirectly with these laws. By all of
the students acknowledging they were aware of this law, we were able to ask follow up questions to be asked of the entire sample.
8 students indicated they believe Hak Waris discriminates only women and the remaining 2 students indicated there is no discrimination at play. This indicates that the perception of
women being discriminated against is a popular belief among young Hindu people of both genders. It is also the initial misconception that we as researchers had adopted to initiate this
study. The 2 students that indicated no discrimination was at play was one female and one male respectively.
Every student interviewed had an idea or interpretation as to why and how this law exists in Balinese communities. Although slight variations in responses, all students explained this law
as a way to maintain and protect heritage, with 6 students explaining their more detailed knowledge of the patriarchal structure that exists.
All students believed the intention of this law in communitieswas to protect and carry onheritage; however 6 students qualified this statement with changes that could be
implemented around the law to make it “more progressive”. 2 students were able to clearly articulate the
Decree of the Supreme Pesamuhan III2010.
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In the Decree of the Supreme Pesamuhan III2010 it has been decided that the position of husband-wife and child to the inheritance and wealth will including the daughter’s Hak Waris
either biological or adopted child. Briefly, Hak Waris of the daughter according to the Decree of the Supreme Pesamuhan
III2010 is being explained by the Adat law expert from Udayana University Faculty of Law,
Prof. Dr. Wayan P. Windia, S.H., M.Si .
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2 students highlighted that greater flexibility in interpretation of the law may make it more accepted by younger generations.
14
After 2010 Balinese women will have the right for the heritage as the Keputusan Majelis Utama Desa
Pakraman Decree of Bali Pakraman Village Primary AssemblyNo. 01KEPPSM-3MDP BaliX2010, on
October 15
th
, 2010. In this Decree, Balinese women will receive half of the purusa Hak Waris after given 13 of it for the inheritance and the conservation interest. If the only the Balinese women move to another religion
rather than Hindu, they have no right for the Hak Waris . If the parent is willing to give the goodwill or provision
.
15
http:www.hukumonline.comklinikdetaillt4f6ac3987ac0ehak-waris-perempuan-menurut-hukum-adat- bali-.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Our recommendations have been derived from a combination of our literature review and our field research responses in which students provided suggestions as to how they foresee the
law potentially being reformed for the benefit of Balinese communities and its affected members.
1: The law needs to remain progressive with society. According to the verdict of the