The penghulu, Ahad Nasution, was assigned by the Head of the Religious Affairs Office (KUA) of Dua Koto Sub-district, Fajri Watan, to solemnize the marriage of Agep Purwandi and Intan Purnama Sari in a remote village only reachable through a single route.
“This was truly a memorable experience. I carried out the duty wholeheartedly as a public servant to serve the people,” Ahad noted in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He started his journey from the sub-district center, traveling around 27 kilometers by ojek (motorbike taxi) through slippery and hilly terrain.
Upon reaching the riverbank, he found that the bridge to Jorong Batang Kundur had collapsed due to heavy rainfall in the area.
Undeterred, Ahad decided to swim across the strong current, assisted by local residents.
“As the bride and groom were already waiting, and this is a duty on behalf of the state, I had to brave the risky conditions. Fortunately, I had prepared a change of clothes after receiving reports from locals that the bridge was impassable,” Ahad explained.
After crossing, villagers arranged another ojek to pick him up and continued to the wedding venue.
He was welcomed by local leader Sumarno, and the wedding ceremony proceeded smoothly and solemnly in the presence of the couple’s families and community figures.
The ceremony concluded at around 11:30 a.m. local time. However, due to ongoing rainfall and the river’s rising level, residents advised Ahad to spend the night in the village for his safety.
Meanwhile, Afief Mundzir, Head of the Sub-directorate for Marriage Registrar Development at the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Directorate General of Islamic Community Guidance, commended Ahad’s dedication.
“Penghulu represents the state at one of the most sacred moments in a citizen’s life,” he said. “Ahad’s exemplary actions are an inspiration and a testament to how religious service is more than a formality—it is a calling,” he added.
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Translator: Asep, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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