The NTT Regional Police Chief Suggests That The Term 'Married Catch' Is Not Used Again

DOCK. ANTARA / NTT Regional Police Chief Inspector General Lotharia Latif (left) with NTT Governor Viktor B Laiskodat

KUPANG - The Head of East Nusa Tenggara Regional Police Inspector General Lotharia Latif suggested that the use of the term 'capture marriage' on Sumba Island, especially in Central Sumba, should no longer be used. The reason is that the term 'kawin catch' destroys the culture of the area.

"I have spoken with a cultural observer from Central Sumba, Pak Anderias P Sabaora, and agreed with him that the term or term of marriage and arrest need not be used anymore," he said as quoted by Antara, Monday, November 23,

This was conveyed by the NTT Regional Police Chief during a coordination meeting with the National Commission on Violence Against Women in Kupang.

The arrival of Komnas Perempuan in Kupang in order to discuss various matters related to the issue of women's violence in NTT. Two of them are the problem of marriage and arrest in Sumba and also the Besipae case in Timor Tengah Selatan (TTS) District.

Kapolda said the tradition of 'kawin catch' in Sumba has a clear customary process, not the origin of forcibly bringing women along as in a video that was widely circulated on social media some time ago.

"The term kawin catch is also not appropriate to describe traditions in NTT. As a result, people mistake local traditions for coercion," said Inspector General Lotharia.

In the tradition of marriage in Central Sumba, in general, the prospective groom will 'capture' the prospective bride, in a process that has actually been planned and approved by the families of both parties.

The process also involves customary information markers, such as a horse tied or gold under a pillow, as a sign that the procession is taking place.

The Police continued, Inspector General Lotharia is committed to no longer using the term marry and catch, either in the process of investigation or investigation. Therefore, the NTT Police Chief hopes that all elements of society, starting from local traditional leaders, can formulate terms in accordance with local cultural wisdom.

"I think all elements have a role starting from traditional leaders in formulating the use of terms that are in accordance with local local wisdom," he added.

Meanwhile, regarding the case of "arrest and marriage" in Central Sumba, the NTT Regional Police Chief said that his party had already resolved the case and the handling was SP3 because the families of both parties chose a settlement through local customs.

"The National Police in handling the Arrested Marriage Case in Central Sumba Regency where the handling is in SP3 because the two parties chose a settlement through customary law," he concluded.