Kearifan Lokal Tunjuk Ajar Melayu Dalam Perspektif Hukum Pelayanan Publik

Abstract

Public service is a state obligation that must be implemented not only effectively but also in accordance with legal certainty, equal treatment, transparency, accountability, and protection of citizens' rights. This study examined the position and relevance of Tunjuk Ajar Melayu as local wisdom in strengthening the implementation of public service law. The study employed a socio-legal approach with a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Qualitative data were obtained through interviews with six service officials and ten service users, participant observation, and document analysis, while quantitative data involved 216 respondents consisting of 143 service users and 73 government officials. The findings showed that the local ethos/Tunjuk Ajar Melayu construct obtained a mean score of 4.07, while social cohesion reached 3.96. Qualitative findings indicated strong practices of hospitality, courtesy, respect, and social connectedness in service interactions. However, structural problems remained, including slow administrative systems, alleged informal payments, cultural favoritism, inconsistent service information, and inadequate facilities for vulnerable groups. The study concluded that Tunjuk Ajar Melayu should not be positioned as a substitute for positive law, but as a socio-cultural value that can strengthen the internalization of legal principles in administrative behavior. Integration should therefore position positive law as the normative boundary and local wisdom as an ethical and social resource for strengthening lawful, equitable, transparent, and accountable public services.