Reconceptualization of Land Acquisition Regulations for Tourism Village Development Based on the Principle of Public Interest

Villages hold a strategic position in harnessing tourism potential as part of regional autonomy at the regency and city levels. Such development efforts can yield substantial economic gains and enhance the welfare of local communities. Despite this, the existing legal framework confines the authority to carry out land acquisition for tourism area development solely to four entities: the central government, regional administrations, state-owned enterprises (“BUMN”), and regionally owned enterprises (“BUMD”). As a result, village governments and village-owned enterprises face limitations in developing village tourism areas. This study employs a normative juridical approach, integrating conceptual and statutory methods. The findings indicate that strengthening decentralization and focusing on rural development present opportunities to empower village governments and village-owned enterprises with the authority to acquire land. The restriction of land acquisition for tourism areas to the central government, regional governments, SOEs, and ROEs is becoming increasingly irrelevant. Village tourism areas possess more significant economic potential when managed directly by village governments and village-owned enterprises, with active involvement from local communities. Therefore, a legal reconstruction is necessary to expand the entities authorized to acquire land for village tourism development. This can be achieved by harmonizing relevant legislation, particularly Law No. 2 of 2012, in conjunction with Law No. 6 of 2023 and Government Regulation No. 11 of 2021. Such harmonization will support village governments and village-owned enterprises in realizing effective, sustainable, and inclusive village tourism development

Exploring Women’s Housing Challenges: Legal and Policy Solutions for Women’s Access to Adequate Housing

Women face significant challenges in accessing affordable and adequate housing, particularly in developing countries where discriminatory practices, gender inequality, and restrictive legal frameworks persist. Despite housing being recognised as a fundamental human right by international laws, many women around the world continue to face insecurity in this area. This issue remains largely underexplored, even though it directly impacts women’s economic and social well-being, safety, and overall quality of life. This study seeks to explore the patterns of research on women’s housing issues, identify the global challenges faced by women in accessing housing, and provide suggestions for the adoption of international practices and regulations to overcome these barriers. The research was based on a systematic literature review (SLR), which critically examined global studies on women’s housing to understand the core issues and solutions proposed by various nations. Key findings indicated that women encounter major obstacles, such as housing insecurity, gender inequality in housing access, and risks related to safety, including sexual violence. International practices, such as the Housing First model, gender-sensitive urban planning, and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), offer frameworks to mitigate these issues. Policy recommendations include the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws, expansion of affordable housing programmes, and the provision of integrated support services for women facing housing insecurity

Regional Government Responsibility as A Controlling Shareholder in The Collapse of BPR Aceh Utara

The North Aceh Regency Government established BPR Aceh Utara as a means of public service for PAD sources. BPR Aceh Utara runs a conventional business in accordance with the Banking Law. In 2018, the Aceh Government formed the Qanun LKS, which stipulates that financial institutions operating in Aceh are based on Sharia Principles. In OJK Letter Number: S-29 / KO.05011 / 2018, it is emphasized that all financial institutions in Aceh are required to switch from conventional to sharia, the Qanun LKS. However, BPR Aceh Utara cannot be transferred to the sharia system because the North Aceh Government, as the Controlling Shareholder, did not make capital participation and restructuring, so that its business license was revoked by the OJK with its decision Number KEP-27 / D.03 / 2024 concerning the Revocation of BPR Aceh Utara Business License. This is very detrimental to customers, employees, local governments, and the community. This study uses normative and empirical legal research methods, incorporating a statutory approach, a conceptual approach, and a comparative approach. Data collection was carried out through library research, including an analysis of primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials as well as non-legal sources. Additionally, field research was carried out through interviews with respondents and informants who can provide relevant information about BPR Aceh Utara. The results of the study indicate that: First, efforts to improve the health of BPR Aceh Utara are not optimal because the Controlling Shareholder does not make capital participation as determined by the OJK and regulated in the Qanun on Capital Participation. Second, legal protection for customers is carried out by LPS by making savings payments that meet the requirements. Third, the Regional Head as the Controlling Shareholder is not responsible for the bankruptcy of BPR Aceh Utara. It is recommended that the regional head strengthen capital, foster BUMD management so that they are able to provide public services and PAD income

Blue Carbon Policy Direction in Optimizing the Potential of Coastal Areas

The potential of coastal areas through coastal and marine ecosystems is very important to minimize the increase in carbon emissions by becoming a means of carbon absorption through the blue carbon mechanism. Blue carbon has the potential because of its role in carbon sequestration to minimize the impact of the climate crisis. Unfortunately, the potential of blue carbon through coastal areas is not in line with policies that do not manifest optimal environmental optimization. To maximize the potential of blue carbon and protect coastal ecosystems, it is necessary to reorient derivative policies and revoke policies that have the potential to threaten coastal ecosystem areas. The method used in this study is normative juridical, with a policy approach and a conceptual approach. This research is based on the hypothesis that the central government demonstrates insufficient resolve about determining and implementing efforts to optimize coastal areas, with an economic orientation that emphasizes coastal ecosystems leading to policy directions towards exploitation rather than conservation. Thus, the direction of the blue carbon policy is expected to be synchronous and optimal to explore the potential of Indonesia’s coastal areas and contribute to significantly reducing the impact of the climate crisis

The Civil Society Engagement in Malaysian National Education System: How the Organizations Should Be Seek Justice in Multi Racial Society?

Civil society exists due to a democratic state system, which guarantees freedom of movement, gathering and voicing aspirations. The role of civil society in national development has become an important element, especially in the education sector. This article discusses the influence and involvement of civil society in the country’s education policy. The focus of the study is to see the extent of the role and expectations of civil society in Malaysian National Education Policy. The research methodology is qualitative by using face-to-face interview as a research method. The informants were selected from civil society experts and representatives who advocated national education. The results of the study found four main influences of the involvement of civil society in changing the national education policy. First, civil society acts as a social control and balancer of government decisions in the education system. Second, a role in the structural improvement in the education system. Third, as a change agent of education policy, and finally it acts as a driving force for social justice in the education system in Malaysia. In conclusion, civil society plays an important role in changing the country’s education policy. That role has become a check and balance on any policy making and implementation related to national education issues.Masyarakat sipil ada karena sistem negara demokratis, yang menjamin kebebasan bergerak, berkumpul, dan menyuarakan aspirasi. Peran masyarakat sipil dalam pembangunan nasional telah menjadi elemen penting, terutama di sektor pendidikan. Artikel ini membahas pengaruh dan keterlibatan masyarakat sipil dalam kebijakan pendidikan negara. Fokus studi ini adalah untuk melihat sejauh mana peran dan harapan masyarakat sipil dalam Kebijakan Pendidikan Nasional Malaysia. Metodologi penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif dengan menggunakan wawancara tatap muka sebagai metode penelitian. Informan dipilih dari para ahli masyarakat sipil dan perwakilan yang memperjuangkan pendidikan nasional. Hasil penelitian menemukan empat pengaruh utama dari keterlibatan masyarakat sipil dalam mengubah kebijakan pendidikan nasional. Pertama, masyarakat sipil bertindak sebagai pengontrol sosial dan penyeimbang keputusan pemerintah dalam sistem pendidikan. Kedua, berperan dalam perbaikan struktural dalam sistem pendidikan. Ketiga, sebagai agen perubahan kebijakan pendidikan, dan akhirnya bertindak sebagai penggerak keadilan sosial dalam sistem pendidikan di Malaysia. Sebagai kesimpulan, masyarakat sipil memainkan peran penting dalam mengubah kebijakan pendidikan negara. Peran tersebut telah menjadi cek dan keseimbangan dalam setiap pembuatan dan pelaksanaan kebijakan yang terkait dengan isu pendidikan nasional

PENATAAN UMKM INDONESIA DI ERA DIGITAL YANG BERKEMANFAATAN HUKUM: PERBANDINGAN DENGAN TIONGKOK

The legal empowerment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) involves strategic policies aimed at enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of the MSME sector within a national legal framework. This encompasses aspects such as licensing, regulatory compliance, capacity building, market access, technological integration, financing mechanisms, and institutional collaboration among the government, private sector, and civil society. In the era of digital transformation, many Indonesian MSME owners face significant challenges due to limited capacity to adapt to rapid technological advancements, hindering their legal and commercial development. This research adopts a normative juridical method with a comparative legal approach, utilizing literature-based analysis to examine regulatory frameworks and institutional practices. As a contribution to strengthening the legal empowerment framework for MSMEs in Indonesia, this article offers a novel perspective by proposing a hybrid legal empowerment model that integrates Indonesia’s normative and principle-based legal tradition with a pragmatic, centralized governance approach as exemplified by China. It argues that legal empowerment for Indonesian MSMEs in the digital era cannot rely solely on deregulation or administrative simplification. Rather, a more comprehensive strategy is required—one that includes state-led legal facilitation, community-based digital legal literacy initiatives, and institutional redesign that systematically embeds MSMEs into the broader legal development agenda. This integrated model is proposed as a forward-looking framework to bridge Indonesia’s legal empowerment gap and to promote inclusive and sustainable growth of MSMEs within the digital economy.Penataan UMKM melibatkan strategi dan kebijakan untuk memperkuat sektor UMKM dalam suatu negara. Penataan UMKM mencakup berbagai aspek, termasuk perizinan, regulasi, pelatihan, pengembangan pasar, akses terhadap teknologi, pembiayaan, serta kolaborasi antara pemerintah, sektor swasta, dan masyarakat. Dalam era transformasi digital ini, banyak pemilik UMKM di Indonesia menghadapi tantangan tersendiri akibat ketidakmampuan beradaptasi dengan perkembangan teknologi dan digitalisasi, yang berdampak pada perkembangan serta penataan usaha mereka. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode yuridis normatif dengan pendekatan perbandingan hukum melalui studi kepustakaan. Upaya penataan UMKM di Indonesia belum terlaksana secara efektif. Hal ini disebabkan oleh berbagai tantangan regulasi, tumpang tindih kewenangan birokrasi, serta kurangnya pemanfaatan teknologi digital oleh pemilik UMKM. Oleh karena itu, dengan bercermin pada penataan UMKM di negara maju seperti Tiongkok, penataan UMKM di Indonesia perlu didukung oleh upaya penyederhanaan regulasi dan birokrasi, serta peningkatan literasi digital yang baik guna mewujudkan UMKM Indonesia yang tangguh dan mampu memanfaatkan aspek hukum secara efektif dalam menghadapi perkembangan transformasi digital

The Philosophy and Essence of Ustomary Law in Southeast Asia: A Comparison of Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand

Customary law in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand plays a crucial role in preserving social harmony and local cultural values, despite facing challenges from modernization, differences in formal recognition, and pressures from national laws and government policies. This study aims to analyze the philosophy, essence, as well as the similarities and differences in the implementation of customary law in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand, reflecting the cultural, social, and spiritual values of each society. The research employs a normative legal method with legislative, historical, comparative, and philosophical approaches to examine the philosophy, essence, and implementation of customary law in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand through the study of legal documents, local traditions, as well as primary, secondary, and tertiary legal materials analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. The findings reveal that customary law in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand reflects the cultural, social, and spiritual values of their communities through approaches of collectivity, harmony, and sustainability, particularly in resource management and local conflict resolution. In Indonesia, customary law formally recognized in the constitution emphasizes mutual cooperation and a harmonious relationship with nature, though it often clashes with formal law. Vietnam integrates Confucian values into customary law informally recognized at the community level, but it is frequently overshadowed by centralized state policies. Meanwhile, in Thailand, despite lacking official recognition, customary law rooted in Buddhist values remains respected as a social mechanism, especially among indigenous communities. All three countries face the challenges of modernization and globalization, which threaten the sustainability of customary law as a cultural identity and a means of maintaining social and environmental balanc

Presidential Partisanship in Indonesian Elections: A Legal and Ethical Analysis

Presidential involvement in electoral contests in Indonesia has increasingly raised concerns regarding the neutrality and integrity of democratic processes. Instances such as the politicization of social assistance programs, the strategic appointment of acting governors, and the active participation of ministers in campaign activities have highlighted the pervasive use of state resources for partisan interests. This study examines the permissibility of presidential political partiality in electoral contests from legal and ethical perspectives. Employing a normative legal research method with a statute and analytical approach, the study analyzes primary legal sources, including the 1945 Constitution and relevant electoral regulations, as well as secondary scholarly materials. The findings reveal that presidential partisanship is legally and ethically unjustifiable. Legally, procedural mechanisms, such as the requirement for mandatory leave during campaign activities, fail to guarantee factual neutrality and enable covert partisanship. A systematic and teleological interpretation of Article 299 paragraph (1) of the Election Law demonstrates that the right to campaign applies exclusively to presidents running as candidates, not to incumbents who are not contesting. Ethically, presidential partiality violates principles of impartiality and moral legitimacy, undermining the president’s role as a unifying symbol of national integrity. The study emphasizes the urgent need for regulatory reforms and ethical standards to reinforce fairness and uphold public trust in Indonesia’s electoral process

The Rights of Customary Law Communities to Resources: The Relationship of Coexistence of State Law and Customary Law

This research aims to determine and analyze the relationship between state law and customary law regarding the rights of customary law communities to natural resources. The application of state law and customary law is a fact related to the lives of customary law communities and their areas of life which are inseparable from natural resources. Apart from constitutional recognition as stipulated in 18 B paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, various laws and regulations in the natural resources sector also provide space for regulation of customary law communities based on policies that tend to be centralized. The research method used is normative legal research with statutory, conceptual and factual approaches with qualitative prescriptive analysis. The research results found that customary law as a guideline for managing natural resources by customary law communities does not yet fully exist because the recognition of customary law communities is partial. In the perspective of John Griffith’s theory of legal pluralism, the relationship between state law and customary law is categorized as weak legal pluralism because of the dominant right to control the state through state law. Integration of coexistence between customary law and state law can only be realized if there is a law that specifically regulates customary law communities so that it is no longer determined based on the sectoral ego of various laws that regulate natural resources

Indonesia’s Press Freedom And Law at Twenty-Five: Achievements, Legal Changes And Continuing Challenges

Political transition in Indonesia after Soeharto’s regime has been deeply influenced by a decentralised model of governance, which affected to more serious attacks to the journalism. Despite the 1999 Press Law prohibits censorship, banning, and licence, including the dissolving of Department of Information, press freedom has been always disturbed. The extra-judicial killing, physical violence, criminalising against journalism, and other attacks through formal judicial process or other forms, included impunity system, have shown uneasy situation for journalist at field or members of the press to perform journalistic works. The political-economy contestation at the local level plays more important role, rather than the influence of situation and policies at national level. The challenge is the law enforcement to protect journalist at works has been easily deniable and disregarded due to the law system itself that does not give significance effect. The court has been used to collapse media, silencing opposition, retaliating, and terrorising journalism. While the current politics, digital technology shapes press freedom into new challenges, which are more complicated situation due to massive deception and its cyber troops. Hence, this article overviews how press freedom situation and its laws have been shaped at twenty-five years, and what would be possible situation in recent Prabowo’s militarized governance in journalism. By using contextual analysis and historical approach, this article argues on how press freedom in Indonesia has been guaranteed by the law at last twenty-five years, and how Prabowo’s militarized governance shapes press freedom.Transisi politik di Indonesia paska rezim Soeharto sangat dipengaruhi oleh model pemerintahan yang terdesentralisasi, berdampak pada serangan yang lebih serius terhadap jurnalisme. Meskipun Undang-Undang Pers tahun 1999 melarang penyensoran, pelarangan, dan pemberian izin, termasuk pembubaran Departemen Penerangan, kebebasan pers selalu mendapat tekanan. Pembunuhan di luar hukum, kekerasan fisik, kriminalisasi terhadap jurnalisme, dan serangan lain melalui proses peradilan formal atau bentuk lain, termasuk sistem impunitas, telah menunjukkan situasi yang tidak nyaman bagi jurnalis di lapangan atau awak pers untuk melakukan pekerjaan jurnalistik. Kontestasi ekonomi-politik di tingkat lokal memainkan peran lebih penting, daripada pengaruh situasi dan kebijakan di tingkat nasional. Tantangannya adalah penegakan hukum untuk melindungi jurnalis dalam berkarya telah dengan mudah disangkal dan diabaikan karena sistem hukum itu sendiri tidak memberikan efek yang signifikan. Pengadilan telah digunakan untuk meruntuhkan perusahaan media, membungkam oposisi, membalas, dan meneror jurnalisme. Sementara politik saat ini, teknologi digital telah membentuk kebebasan pers menjadi tantangan baru, yaitu situasi yang lebih rumit karena penipuan besar-besaran dan pasukan sibernya. Oleh karena itu, artikel ini mengulas bagaimana situasi kebebasan pers dan undang-undangnya telah terbentuk dalam dua puluh lima tahun terakhir, dan situasi apa yang mungkin terjadi dalam pemerintahan militerisasi jurnalisme Prabowo baru-baru ini