Accessibility of Citizens With Parmalim Beliefs to Civil Rights in Indonesia

Abstract

The term Parmalim or malim defines the followers of the Malim religion, the contemporary form of the traditional Batak religion. Parmalim (Ugamo Malim) was one of the adherents of the belief long before Indonesia was established as a nation. The Parmalim people face discrimination in their social lives, which limits their ability to access and participate in government policies. This research aims to explain the Civil Rights of the Parmalim Belief Communities in Indonesia. The research method employs descriptive analysis in conjunction with a qualitative approach. The review of interview results as primary data on stakeholders is used to collect research data. The authors then gathered secondary data for this study from journals, books, and documents or reports related to the research topic. Data analysis techniques are used to reduce, present, and draw conclusions. The study's findings reveal several indications of the Parmalim community's problems: First, there needs to be more awareness among the general public about the Parmalim belief community as an integral part of the environment. Second, the state's attitude took far too long to recognize the Parmalim Community in administrative documents. Third, people who follow the Parmalim belief have not received directions and guidelines on where they should seek refuge, resulting in discrimination. Fourth, people who believe in Parmalim's beliefs in education, the economy, employment, and health have limited access, which has a psychological impact. Fifth, the Parmalim community has lost access to natural resource management due to development. As a result, they do not foster an inclusive but exclusive social culture.