The role of ulama, adat and government institutions as the stability factors of the Minangkabau system of government

Abstract

Each system of government has its own instability potential. The relation between distinct power institutions in the concept of separation of powers does not always result in a harmony of relationships. Instead, it often results in a confrontational way. One approach to overcome the instability of government is to create a conducive institutional formulation of the state in the formation of government and decision-making process. This research sees the phenomenon occurring in Minangkabau adat administration. The concept of separation of powers within Minangkabau adat administration can be traced from the existence of adat institutions, government and ulama in the government structure and the decision-making mechanisms ranging from king level to subordinate government at nagari and tribal levels. The relations of these three institutions formed a distinctive system of government that proved to produce stability at every level of government. This study compares the reality of adat rules in Minangkabau with the theory of separation of powers and the concept of stability contained in various government systems. This paper answers these relationships through normative legal research with historical and comparative approaches