The INDONESIAN — The Majelis Adat Indonesia (MAI) or Indonesian Council of Customs officially held its Grand Assembly under the theme “Pakarti Budaya Bangsa Nusantara” (The Virtue of the Nation’s Culture of the Archipelago), in conjunction with the Malam Karunia Kasih Maharaja Kutai Mulawarman (Royal Grace Night of the Maharaja Kutai Mulawarman), at Empire Hotel, Surabaya, on October 22–23, 2025.
The royal assembly was presided over by His Majesty Prof. Dr. M.S.P.A. Iansyah Rechza F.W., Ph.D., the Sovereign Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman and the Supreme Head of the Royal Council of the Archipelago, reaffirming the shared commitment to restore the dignity and honor of royal and traditional cultures throughout the Indonesian archipelago.
This sacred event also marked the formal legitimization of the Royal Decree of the Archipelago concerning the establishment of the Indonesian Council of Customs (MAI) as an ethical, cultural, and moral institution for the nation.
“Culture is the soul of a nation. When it is preserved, the nation’s identity stands tall amid the tides of time,”
— His Majesty Prof. Dr. M.S.P.A. Iansyah Rechza F.W., Ph.D., Maharaja Kutai Mulawarman.
During the assembly, H.M. Rafik Datuk Rajo Kuaso Cumati Koto Piliang Langgam Nan 7 of the Pagaruyung Nusa Kingdom, West Sumatra, was officially entrusted as Secretary-General (Sekjen) of the Indonesian Council of Customs (MAI). He also delivered an address highlighting the values of tradition and national philosophy from the perspective of ancient kingdoms of the archipelago.
“True traditional leaders are those who act with sincerity and serve genuinely for the sake of tradition — for customs must be upheld by those who embody them, not by those who exploit them,” said Datuk Rajo Kuaso, who is also the initiator and co-founder of MAI.
He further explained that the MAI’s executive structure would be designed following a representative model similar to that of the United Nations, ensuring that each customary region across the archipelago has equal and dignified representation.
Royal Decree of the Archipelago and Joint Declaration of Support
During the session, Kings, Sultans, Queens, Datuks, and Traditional Leaders from across the Indonesian archipelago signed the Royal Decree of the Archipelago (Decree No. 0455.2210.2025) concerning the formal recognition of the establishment of the Indonesian Council of Customs (MAI).
The decree outlines five key affirmations:
- Full support for the establishment and strengthening of MAI as the nation’s ethical and cultural institution.
- Preservation of traditional values as the foundation of morality and national identity.
- Rejection of any misuse of tradition for political or commercial interests.
- Promotion of cultural, artistic, and traditional education throughout the archipelago.
- Reaffirmation that tradition (adat) is an act of service, not a commodity.
The decree was ratified and signed by prominent royal and customary figures of the archipelago, including:
- H.M. Prof. Dr. M.S.P.A. Iansyah Rechza F.W., Ph.D., Maharaja of Kutai Mulawarman, Supreme Head of the Royal Council of the Archipelago.
- H.M. Karaeng Polongbangkeng XIV, Kingdom of Bajeng Polongbangkeng, South Sulawesi.
- H.M. Rafik Datuk Rajo Kuaso, Kingdom of Pagaruyung Nusa, West Sumatra.
- H.M. Raja Gunu Datupamusu, Magau Pitunggota Dolo, Central Sulawesi.
- H.M. Nursiah Usman Loulembah, Queen Consort of Magau Pitunggota Dolo.
- H.M. Raja Naladuta KRAT Prof. Dr. Mochamad Eros Soeroso Purbo Nagoro, East Java.
- H.R.H. RB Abi Munawir Al Madani Mertakusuma, Prince Ratu Jayakarta IX.
- H.R.H. Kanjeng Ratu Hj. Mari Eva, S.E., M.M., Kingdom of Kahuripan Jenggala.
- H.M. Pangeran Arya Senapati Johan Amin, S.E., M.Si., Commander of Tabas, Sultanate of Banjar.
- H.M. Mas Pendy Runca, Commander of Gong Kutai Mulawarman, Central Kalimantan.
- H.R.H. Princess Riana Tungga Sekar Arum Dewi Intan Heru Hernani Soekatmoko, Archipelagic Cultural Advocate.
The assembly also produced a Joint Declaration of Support, symbolizing unity among the royal and traditional institutions to strengthen MAI’s role as the guardian of ethical and cultural values across Indonesia.
The declaration contains a shared commitment to uphold traditional wisdom and actively participate in MAI’s national and regional initiatives.
“Praise be to God, the legal recognition of MAI is now imminent, thanks to the support of His Majesty the Maharaja of Mulawarman. God willing, the MAI executive structure will soon be finalized. Anyone who wishes to serve tradition and the nation is welcome to join,” said M. Rafik Datuk Rajo Kuaso, Secretary-General of MAI.
His Majesty the Maharaja Kutai Mulawarman expressed gratitude and deep respect to all traditional leaders for their collective support.
“ our nation.”
The decree and declaration were officially endorsed in Surabaya during the Royal Grace Night of Maharaja Kutai Mulawarman, themed “Pakarti Budaya Bangsa Nusantara”, attended by royal and traditional dignitaries from across the archipelago.
Media Editorial Team: Representatives of PRIME NEWS POST Journalists/ Media Editor: Hary.S
