Managing the Public Space as a Means of the Procedural Mechanism of Dispute Resolution in Badau, Indonesia

Abstract

This article is the result of research conducted in Badau Subdistrict, West Kalimantan which borders directly with Sarawak, Malaysia. The state border area is invariably fascinating to investigate because it holds not only economic, political, and defense dimensions, but also religious and socio-cultural concerns. By posing some unique characteristics of customary communities in Badau, this paper aims to analyse the dispute resolution mechanism in Badau, Borneo Island, Indonesia by using ethnographic method. The result showed the community wisdom in resolving the dispute. Aside from the stage of the silent conflict, Badau artificially has a unique mechanism for resolving some of the difficulties on a comprehensive scale, whether within each tribe or involving the two major tribes or problems at the Subdistrict level. Through the hierarchy of customary institutions structures as described, where they resolve problems is also essential to know because space comprises many interpretations, even the seizure of access and resources as well as claims and contestation can occur over space.