Publication Search

The implementation of local democracy in Indonesia faces challenges when the electoral and procedural mechanisms regulated in modern village administration are not fully in line with the socio-cultural traditions of indigenous communities. Many villages still strongly uphold the values, norms, and authority of traditional institutions that have historically regulated communal life, including in terms of leadership legitimacy. Tension between formal democracy and customary values arises when the village political process is perceived as not reflecting the cultural identity of the community. This situation creates a need to understand how the integration of customary institutions can strengthen the legitimacy of village leaders in the local democratic system. This study uses a literature review method with a content analysis approach because the study focuses on the concept of the role of customary institutions in strengthening local democracy and the legitimacy of village leadership. This method allows researchers to explore theories and compare previous findings to form a systematic understanding. The research data comes from 19 secondary sources in the form of scientific books and journal articles published between 2016 and 2025 that are relevant to the themes of customs, village governance, community participation, and local leadership. The search was conducted using the Publish or Perish application with purposive sampling techniques to select sources directly related to the main research issue. This study concludes that the integration of traditional institutions into local democracy produces a model of village leadership that is legally strong and culturally rooted. This integration provides a basis for strengthening local democracy based on cultural wisdom, thereby supporting village development.

In social practice, land sale and purchase transactions are still frequently conducted through private agreements, mainly driven by mutual trust between the parties, cost considerations, and the perception that such procedures are simpler and faster. From the perspective of civil law, such sale and purchase agreements remain valid and legally binding as long as they fulfill the legal requirements of a valid contract as stipulated in Article 1320 of the Indonesian Civil Code. However, within the national land law system, land sale and purchase agreements executed under private deeds cannot serve as a legal basis for the transfer of land rights because they are not made before a Land Deed Official (Pejabat Pembuat Akta Tanah/PPAT) as required by statutory regulations. This divergence in legal regulation gives rise to legal uncertainty, particularly for buyers acting in good faith. On the one hand, the agreement creates rights and obligations under civil law; on the other hand, it fails to provide legal certainty over land rights due to its inability to be registered. This condition reflects a tension between the civil law regime and the land law regime, while also indicating the weak legal protection afforded to good-faith buyers. These issues constitute the basis and urgency of this research.

This study examines the Hybrid Model of Restorative Justice from a comparative perspective between Civil Law and Common Law systems as a reflection of the transformation of criminal law policy. The Civil Law system, rooted in legal positivism, emphasizes formal legal certainty through codification, whereas the Common Law system allows broader judicial discretion and judge-made law. These differing paradigms significantly influence the development and implementation of restorative justice. Indonesia, as a Civil Law country, has demonstrated a shift toward a hybrid legal policy by incorporating Common Law values into its criminal justice reforms, particularly through the National Criminal Code. This research employs a normative juridical method using conceptual, statutory, and comparative law approaches. The findings indicate that the Hybrid Model of Restorative Justice represents a strategic legal policy choice aimed at harmonizing legal certainty and substantive justice in accordance with the Pancasila legal ideals.

Criminal acts of assault against children constitute a serious violation of human rights that requires optimal legal protection by the state. As legal subjects, children are entitled to security, protection from violence, and guarantees for proper growth and development, as mandated by Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, and relevant child protection legislation. This study aims to conduct a juridical analysis of the legal considerations applied by judges in Decision Number 83/Pid.Sus/2020/PN.Kot concerning the criminal offense of assault committed against a child, as well as to assess their conformity with criminal law principles, child protection law, and the objectives of sentencing. This research employs a normative legal research method using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches, supported by primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials. The findings reveal that although the legal basis applied refers to Law Number 35 of 2014 on Child Protection, the judicial considerations have not been comprehensively formulated, as they insufficiently incorporate sociological, criminological, and child-centered protection perspectives. Consequently, the sentence imposed is relatively lenient and fails to fully reflect the objectives of punishment, particularly deterrence and sustainable protection for child victims. Therefore, strengthening the quality of judicial reasoning and ensuring the optimal application of relevant legal provisions are essential to achieve legal certainty, justice, and effective protection for children as victims of violent crimes.

This article examines three major streams of Islamic political thought in Indonesia through a comparative analysis of the ideas of Mohammad Natsir, Abu Bakar Ba’asyir, and Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur). Mohammad Natsir embodies the constitutional–integralist perspective, which seeks to formalize Islam as the foundation of the state by utilizing democratic mechanisms and constitutional political processes. In contrast, Abu Bakar Ba’asyir reflects a radical–ideological orientation that firmly rejects democracy and advocates the full implementation of Islamic Sharia through extra-constitutional and non-parliamentary movements. Meanwhile, Abdurrahman Wahid represents a substantive–cultural approach, opposing the formal institutionalization of Islam within the state while promoting Islamic values as ethical guidance for building a tolerant and pluralistic nation. The contrasting viewpoints of these three figures highlight the diversity of Islamic political discourse in Indonesia and illustrate the evolving interaction between religion and state. Overall, this study demonstrates how Islamic thought continues to adapt and remain relevant within Indonesia’s multicultural and democratic context.

The Indonesian National Army as a member of the Indonesian National Guard is at the forefront of Indonesia in the eyes of the public as an example and role model in discipline, ethics, and compliance with the law. However, in the reality of daily life, there are still TNI soldiers who commit traffic violations, such as driving a vehicle without having a Driver's License (SIM). This research includes empirical juridical research, or called field research, which examines the applicable legal provisions and compares them with the reality that occurs in society. The research method used was in the form of interviews with five relevant sources, then the data was analyzed descriptive-qualitatively to provide a comprehensive understanding. The results of the study showed that (1) law enforcement against TNI soldiers who committed traffic violations without a driver's license was checked according to the procedure of the rapid inspection event; no long inspection minutes are required, it is enough to use the minutes of traffic violations and road transportation or tickets from the military police; (2) Sanctions applied for minor traffic violations in the form of administrative disciplinary sanctions, including criminal prosecution of fines paid to military authorities and deposited into the state treasury. This reflects the balance between legal compliance and internal discipline of the TNI, as well as efforts to develop soldiers so that they remain an example for the community.

The steady increase in divorce cases in Indonesia suggests that many couples begin married life without adequate emotional, financial, or intellectual readiness. In response, the government encourages premarital education as a preventive initiative designed to equip future spouses with the skills needed to manage potential domestic difficulties. Viewed through the lens of maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah, this initiative supports the essential goals of Islamic law, namely the promotion of well-being at the personal, family, community, and national levels. This study argues that premarital education reflects the core principles of Islamic legal ethics and functions as a normative expression of the sharī‘ah. Using a normative-theoretical legal framework combined with a maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah analysis, the research engages Qur’anic and Hadith texts, classical and modern fiqh discussions, uṣūl al-fiqh, Indonesian regulatory provisions on premarital counseling, and scholarly works on Islamic Family Law. The results show that major triggers of marital breakdown emotional instability, financial pressure, recurring disputes, and limited understanding of marital responsibilities can be reduced through structured premarital education. These programs strengthen spiritual awareness, emotional resilience, communication skills, conflict-resolution abilities, and economic management. Consequently, premarital education becomes a strategic mechanism for nurturing harmonious households and reinforcing the framework of Islamic Family Law in Indonesia, positioning it as a sharī‘ah oriented tool vital for contemporary social welfare.  

Abstract. The right to health is an integral part of human rights guaranteed by the Constitution and further reinforced by Law Number 17 of 2023 on Health, which places the state as the party responsible for ensuring the provision of safe, high-quality, and non-discriminatory health services for all citizens. However, in practice, the fulfillment of the right to health continues to face various challenges, particularly in the delivery of health services for participants of BPJS Kesehatan. This study aims to analyze the legal protection of the right to health in Indonesia and to examine the refusal of medical services to BPJS patients that resulted in death in Papua from a human rights perspective. The research employs a normative legal research method using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. The findings indicate that although the national legal framework has clearly regulated the obligations of the state and health care facilities in providing emergency services, its implementation remains weak due to administrative barriers, unequal access to health services, and inconsistent law enforcement. The refusal of medical services to BPJS patients in Papua reflects a tension between hospitals’ administrative compliance and the professional obligation of medical personnel to save human lives. The implications of this study emphasize the need to strengthen supervision, ensure consistent law enforcement, and improve health service governance so that the right to health is truly protected as part of human dignity within the Indonesian rule of law. 

Village institutions play an important role in supporting participatory and sustainable rural development. The Village Law No. 6 of 2014 recognizes village autonomy and emphasizes the importance of community participation through Village Community Institutions (Lembaga Kemasyarakatan Desa/LKD). However, the implementation of these institutions in practice has not always functioned effectively. This study aims to analyze the role of village community institutions in supporting village development and to identify the factors that influence their effectiveness in Oematamboli Village, Lobalain District, Rote Ndao Regency. This research employs an empirical legal research method with a qualitative approach. Data were obtained through interviews and field observations involving village government officials, community institution administrators, and community leaders, while secondary data were obtained from documents and relevant regulations. The results indicate that the functions of LKD, including the Community Empowerment Institution (LPM), Neighborhood Associations (RT), and Community Associations (RW), have not been implemented optimally in supporting village development. This condition is reflected in the limited participation of LKD in development planning, weak absorption of community aspirations, and low community participation in development activities. Several factors influencing this condition include limited human resource capacity, inadequate infrastructure, low community participation, and limited development funding. Therefore, strengthening institutional capacity, improving coordination, and increasing community participation are necessary to enhance the effectiveness of village development.

The reform of Indonesia’s criminal law through Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP) marks a fundamental shift in the national criminal justice system, particularly through the formal recognition of the living law as law that lives within society. This article analyzes the correlation between living law and the principle of legality within the context of national criminal law reform. The study employs a normative juridical method with statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches to examine how the 2023 Criminal Code seeks to balance legal certainty with substantive justice. The findings indicate that the regulation of the principle of legality in Article 1 of the KUHP remains the primary foundation for ensuring the protection of individual rights and preventing arbitrary state actions. However, the recognition of living law under Article 2 of the KUHP expands the sources of criminal law beyond written statutes to include social values living within the community, insofar as they are consistent with Pancasila, general legal principles, and human rights. The relationship between the principle of legality and living law in the 2023 KUHP is not antagonistic but rather complementary and harmonious. Living law enriches the legality principle substantively through moral and social justice dimensions, while the legality principle serves as a normative safeguard to maintain legal certainty and prevent the abuse of power. Therefore, the integration of both principles reflects a new paradigm of Indonesian criminal law that is pluralistic, just, and civilized, reaffirming the nation’s legal politics grounded in Pancasila values and the principles of a democratic rule of law.

This study analyzes the juridical issues related to the implementation of criminal sanctions below the statutory minimum, as reflected in Cassation Decision Number 7853/K/Pid.Sus/2024. The focus of this research centers on the tension between the rigid provisions of Article 111 paragraph (1) of Law No. 35 of 2009 concerning narcotics and the reality of judicial practice, which often deviates from these provisions. This phenomenon raises debates regarding the extent to which the principle of legality can be compromised in pursuit of justice without undermining the pillar of legal certainty within Indonesia’s criminal justice system. Using a normative legal research method with a statutory and case study approach, this study qualitatively analyzes judges’ considerations. The findings indicate that, although the policy of imposing sentences below the minimum carries the risk of creating legal uncertainty, the Supreme Court in this case reinterpreted the principle of legality. Judges tend to prioritize proportionality and substantive justice to avoid purely mechanical punishment. The study concludes that, while judicial discretion represents a concrete expression of judicial independence, such practice requires clearer normative parameters. Without explicit regulation, deviations from the statutory minimum risk widening disparities in judicial decisions. Therefore, standardized sentencing guidelines are necessary to preserve legal integrity while maintaining a sense of justice for defendants.

This study aims to examine the judge's considerations in rendering decisions in aggravated theft cases at the Medan District Court, with an emphasis on the balance between legal and non-legal aspects in realizing substantive justice. The issue of disparate sentencing that frequently arises is the main background of this study. The methods used are an integrated normative legal approach and an empirical legal approach. The normative approach is used to examine the provisions of Article 363 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) and the legal principles that govern the judge's considerations, while the empirical approach is carried out through direct observation of the trial process and analysis of the judge's decision. The results of the study indicate that the judge in case Number 1110/Pid. B/2025/PN Medan not only complied with legal aspects such as fulfilling the elements of the crime, evidence, and the application of the principle of legality, but also considered non-legal aspects such as the socio-economic conditions, age, and motives of the defendant. These considerations demonstrate the application of the principles of criminal individualization and proportional justice. In addition, the judge also considered moral values ​​and social benefits in his decision, which is in line with Gustav Radbruch's theory of three basic legal values: justice, legal certainty, and utility. This study concludes that the thinking patterns of judges at the Medan District Court reflect a shift toward substantive and restorative justice paradigms. It is recommended that the Supreme Court strengthen integrated sentencing guidelines to avoid disparities in sentencing and encourage the adoption of a rehabilitative approach for offenders with low economic motivations.

The crime of receiving stolen goods, as regulated in Article 480 of the Criminal Code (KUHP), is an offence that plays a crucial role in the continuation of the principal crime, particularly theft. Receivers provide a market for stolen goods, thereby indirectly encouraging perpetrators to continue their actions. This article aims to analyse the implementation of Article 480 of the KUHP in judicial practice, with a focus on proving the element of ‘knowing or reasonably suspecting’ that the goods purchased were obtained through criminal activity. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study approach through direct observation of a trial at the M. District Court. The observations show that the panel of judges successfully proved the defendant's guilt as a fence through a series of trial facts, such as the unreasonable purchase price, consistent testimony from the perpetrator of the theft, and the defendant's own admission that he had been suspicious. The judge's decision, which was lighter than the prosecutor's demands, also reflected considerations of substantive justice and humanity in addition to legal certainty. This study concludes that the effective enforcement of Article 480 of the Criminal Code in court plays an important role in breaking the chain of crime and providing a deterrent effect not only for the main perpetrators but also for those who participate in enjoying the proceeds of crime.

Gender inequality in Indonesian politics forms part of broader structural and cultural dynamics that shape women’s positions in the public sphere. In historical studies, the thought of R.A. Kartini is often interpreted primarily as a symbol of educational and moral emancipation, while the political dimension of her ideas receives limited attention. This study aims to examine Kartini’s political thought as reflected in her letters, positioning her as a political subject who articulated critiques of social structures, customary norms, and patriarchal power relations through non-formal means. This research adopts a qualitative approach with a library-based research design. The data are derived from an analysis of Kartini’s letters compiled in Door Duisternis tot Licht and supported by relevant academic literature. A descriptive-analytical method with a thematic approach is employed to explore political ideas and discourses embedded in the texts. Kartini’s thought in this study is understood as a form of political awareness that extends beyond individual emancipation and relates to broader issues of women’s political participation. This research contributes to the study of women’s politics by offering a historical perspective that places women as political subjects.

This study aims to analyze the meaning of interfaith marriage in the film Komang using Ferdinand de Saussure's semiotic theory. This theory emphasizes the relationship between signifier and signified as well as the concepts of langue and parole to explain the interaction between social systems and individual expression. The results of the analysis show that the visual, verbal, and symbolic signs in the film represent the clash between love and belief. Scenes such as the initial meeting at a cultural festival, family rejection, and symbolic marriage become a form of negotiation between social values and personal freedom. This film affirms that interfaith marriage in Indonesia can only be accepted through compromise with the religious norms of the majority, but still presents a message of tolerance through symbols of cultural harmony. Therefore, the film Komang is not just a romantic narrative, but a social reflection on the relationship between religion, culture, and love in a pluralistic society.

The Great Mosque of Banten is a historical heritage that reflects cultural acculturation and the glory of Islam in the Indonesian archipelago. This study aims to analyze the forms of collaboration between the government, local communities, and site managers in preserving the Great Mosque of Banten using the Collaborative Governance theory by Ansell and Gash (2007). A descriptive qualitative approach was applied through interviews, field observations, and document studies conducted in the Great Mosque area. The findings reveal that collaboration among stakeholders has not yet reached optimal levels due to limited communication, trust gaps, and conflicting interests. Nevertheless, functional cooperation has emerged through joint activities in sanitation, security, and tour guide training. Based on the five indicators of the collaborative process, direct communication (face to face dialogue) and trust building remain major challenges, while shared understanding between government agencies, the foundation, and the community has begun to develop. This study highlights the importance of sustainable collaborative governance in preserving the religious, historical, and social values of the Great Mosque of Banten while supporting the welfare of the surrounding community.  

This study examines the dynamics of public criticism of Shin Tae-yong's dismissal by PSSI as a phenomenon of digital communication that shows the tension between freedom of expression and the legal limits of hate speech. The background of this research stems from the intensity of netizens' reactions, which developed into collective moral pressure and had the potential to enter the realm of insults and hostility, as reflected in various comments, news reports, and verbal disputes involving public figures. This study aims to analyze how criticism, media framing, and netizen responses interact with the regulations of the ITE Law, particularly Article 28 paragraph (2), which is often used in reporting hate speech. The methods used are a normative juridical approach and case studies with document analysis, news reports, and academic literature techniques to identify patterns of digital expression and their legal relevance. The results of the study show that public criticism of Shin Tae-yong not only reflects performance evaluation, but also contains emotional, social identity, and moral dimensions that are reinforced by media framing and digital culture. The discussion confirms that the shift from criticism to hate speech occurs when public expression is not managed ethically, while law enforcement on hate speech articles still faces interpretation problems. In conclusion, this verbal dispute reflects the complexity of Indonesia's digital democracy and the urgency of legal reform

This study aims to identify and analyze forms of social pathology in Haruki Murakami’s The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Employing a qualitative content analysis approach, the research examines how historical violence and trauma, abuse of power, and existential alienation are represented through the novel’s narrative structure, characters, and symbolic elements. The findings indicate that these three categories are interconnected, forming a systemic pattern of social dysfunction rooted in institutional failure, historical memory, and individual psychological pressure. The depiction of war highlights collective trauma, while both physical and symbolic forms of domination illustrate distorted power relations. Furthermore, the motif of alienation reflects the psychological consequences of social instability and disrupted interpersonal bonds. The study aligns with previous research on trauma and deviance in Murakami’s works and strengthens the view of literature as a critical medium for reflecting modern social conditions.

This research analyzes the Indonesian government’s policy responses to combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing in the Arafura Sea during 2023-2024, focusing on the case of the Run Zeng 03 and Run Zeng 05 vessels. These foreign-flagged vessels, owned by a Chinese company but registered under the Russian flag, were involved in illegal fishing and human rights violations against Indonesian fishery crew members. Using a qualitative descriptive approach supported by literature studies and official government data, this research analyzes how Indonesia implemented its maritime sovereignty through legal enforcement, inter-agency coordination, and international maritime diplomacy. The findings reveal that Indonesia’s measures, such as vessel monitoring AIS/VMS technology, law enforcement through arrests and seizures, and diplomatic engagement with flag states reflect a progressive but still reactive approach. The study identifies key challenges, including limited foreign authorities. This research highlights the need for an integrated policy framework that combines hard power (law enforcement and patrols) with soft power (international cooperation, economic diplomacy, and labor protection). The study concludes that a comprehensive and collaborative approach is essential to strengthen maritime governance and ensure sustainable, equitable management of Indonesia’s marine resources.

The management of local news programs within Indonesia’s Networked Broadcasting System (Sistem Stasiun Jaringan/SSJ) faces structural challenges amid the transition toward a digital media environment. This study aims to analyze the challenges and opportunities in news program management at CNN Indonesia TV West Java as part of the SSJ in the digital media era. Using a qualitative approach with a case study method, data were collected through in-depth interviews and document analysis to examine local news distribution practices. The findings reveal that local news distribution remains constrained by structural limitations, as reflected in the limited proportion of local news and its placement in low-audience time slots, which restricts audience reach and the flexibility of regional newsrooms to develop local news programs strategically. In response to these limitations, digital platforms such as YouTube and Instagram are utilized as alternative distribution channels. However, this digital adaptation has not been accompanied by adjustments in newsroom work structures, resulting in increased journalists’ workloads due to cross-platform content production demands and repurposing practices. Nevertheless, digital distribution has enhanced the visibility of local news and demonstrates that audience proximity constitutes a strategic opportunity in managing local news in the digital era. This study highlights the importance of integrating digital distribution strategies with managerial adjustments to enable more adaptive and audience-oriented local news management within the SSJ framework.