The role of the 1945 Constitution as a binding power does not mean that it eliminates the diversity of languages, cultures, and traditions inherited by Indonesian people. On contrary, the 1945 Constitution admits, respects, and even preserves that diversity. The acknowledgement of the diversity of Indonesian People was also reflected in one of the national principles stated in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution that is ”The Unity of Indonesia” and not “The Union of Indonesia”.

That is the opening remarks of the Chief of Constitution Court, Prof. Dr. Jimly Asshiddiqie, S.H. when giving a speech in front of audiences of “National Workshop on Protecting National Rights of the Customary Law Community”, Monday (10/12) in Conference Room, 4^th floor of the Constitution Court Building. 

Furthermore Jimly explained, customary community was the oldest organisation compared to the organisation of Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia. “even though Indonesian People has undergone some consolidations and in the last consolidation we put in the rights of customary community whose rights and existence are acknowledgedin the Post-Ammended 1945 Constitution.”

At the same occasion, Minister of Social Affairs, H. Bachtiar Chamsyah, S.E commented that the workshop was very strategic because it brought up the issue of constitutional protection of the customary community.

Bachtiar explained that even though the customary people communities were located in isolated areas that did not reduce their meanings, functions, and roles in national development. “Besides that, a Bill of Law that regulates the existence of customary communities should be made. Through this workshop, we hope that there would be a recommendation for the development of customary people and for the development of Indonesia,” continued Bachtiar.

The two-day workshop was inisiated by National Secretary for Protecting the Constitutional Rights of the Customary Law Community in coordination with National Commission for Human Rights, Constitutional Court, Department of Social Affairs, International Labour Organization, and United Nations Development Programme. One of the agenda of the event was the inauguration of the Managing Board of the National Secretary for Protecting the Constitutional Rights of the Customary Law Community (Prana Patrayoga Adiputra/Yogi Djatnika)