Constitutional Protection of Cultural Heritage in Indonesia: The Role of Museums in Preserving National Identity and Public Welfare

Cultural heritage is a fundamental asset in promoting cultural diversity and facilitating access to education, social values, science, technology, and tourism. Museums play a pivotal role in preserving cultural heritage and fulfilling constitutional obligations, as enshrined in the Indonesian Constitution. Protecting cultural heritage is essential for maintaining national identity and upholding citizens' constitutional rights, particularly in education and cultural participation. This study analyses the constitutional framework and government policies related to cultural heritage protection, with a specific focus on museums in Indonesia. Employing a statute-based and comparative approach, the research examines constitutional provisions such as Article 18B(1) of the Indonesian Constitution, which mandates the state’s responsibility to preserve cultural heritage and safeguard indigenous communities' rights. Despite this constitutional obligation, challenges such as limited financial resources, inadequate maintenance, and institutional constraints hinder the effective operation of museums. The findings emphasize that strengthening museums is not only necessary for heritage conservation but also for fostering national and local values that define Indonesia’s constitutional identity. The study argues that the government must implement more comprehensive policies and allocate sufficient resources to enhance museums’ role in cultural preservation, ensuring their sustained contribution to public welfare and national development

Mapping Public Participation in EIA in Indonesia: Recommendations for an Ideal Concept

A quality EIA document is directly proportional to the level of public participation that influences the preparation process. However, the EIA level of public participation in Indonesia is still very low , even reduced after being amended by Law No. 32/2009 in conjunction with Law No. 6/2023, which shows that public participation has not been prioritised. Several factors influence this, including the reduction of EIA participation through Law No. 6/2023, as well as the involvement of parties and forms that are not in line with the needs of the community. This research aims to identify the level of public participation in preparing EIA in Indonesia and present ideal concepts and recommendations regarding these three aspects. This legal research uses a statutory and conceptual approach with primary and secondary legal materials (Law No. 32/2009 in Lieu of Law No. 6/2023, Government Regulation No. 22/2021 and relevant scientific works). The level of public participation in the EIA preparation process in Law No. 6/2023 tends to be lower than before because the community cannot influence the final decision; affected parties are limited; forms of participation are limited to providing suggestions, opinions and responses; and the public participation in government institutions is eliminated. Therefore, the ideal concept uses a mapping that includes the parties involved, the form, and the purpose of participation with three rationales, namely normative, substantive, and instrumental, which are briefly related to the community role, the quality of environmental decisions, and the basis of legitimacy. The government needs to develop ideal regulations for public participation in preparation for EIA based on this mapping so that the preparation of EIA is participative, transparent, equitable, and informed

Looking at The Civil Suits and Court Cases Under the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act: Why it Fails?

Terrorism remains a persistent and significant global threat, with far-reaching consequences for world peace and stability. The September 11, 2001 attacks marked a pivotal moment in the fight against terrorism, prompting governments and international organizations to adopt new strategies to counter this threat. In response to these tragic events, the United States enacted the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), a legislative framework designed to allow victims of terrorism to seek compensation from state sponsors of terrorism. While JASTA reflects a commitment to holding individuals and nations accountable for supporting terrorism, it has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it undermines the principle of sovereign immunity, while others view it as a crucial tool for combating terrorism. This study examines the legal and procedural implications of JASTA, focusing on the challenges of bringing civil actions under this law. Through a literature-based research approach, the study explores anti-terrorism laws, relevant case law, and the practical obstacles of pursuing legal claims under JASTA. The findings highlight the legal complexities and political considerations involved in holding state sponsors accountable, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that upholds international law and diplomacy while ensuring justice for terrorism victims. This research contributes to ongoing discussions on refining strategies to combat state-sponsored terrorism and offers recommendations for potential legislative reforms to enhance the effectiveness of JASTA in achieving justice

The Right to Bail in Extradition Proceedings: Malaysia's Criminal Law Perspective

This article delves into the issue of bail pending extradition in Malaysia. It adopts a doctrinal legal research methodology, focusing on analysing legislation and court decisions to objectively understand how current laws and practices determine bail applications within the context of Malaysian extradition law. The study reveals that Malaysia's Extradition Act 1992 does not explicitly provide for bail pending extradition, except under limited circumstances. Malaysian courts have utilised section 44 of the Extradition Act 1992 to apply bail provisions from the Criminal Procedure Code. The study finds that Malaysian courts adopt a cautious approach when determining bail applications in extradition cases. However, this judicial approach presents challenges, particularly in extradition cases involving offences governed by specific statutes other than the Criminal Procedure Code. The findings suggest that the reliance on section 44 should be re-evaluated to address these challenges. The article concludes by recommending further research to assess the need for an explicit and comprehensive provision for bail in the Extradition Act 1992 to ensure legal consistency and a uniform application across all types of offences

Simplifying the Multiparty System or Compromising Equality? Legal Challenges and the Current Political Landscape in Indonesia

Political parties play a vital role in Indonesia’s democratic system, functioning as key platforms for citizen participation and the representation of diverse interests. However, Constitutional Court Decision Number 55/PUU-XVIII/2020 introduced significant changes to the political party verification process, creating differential treatment based on previous electoral performance. This article explores the implications of this decision on the integrity of Indonesia’s multiparty system and its broader democratic framework. Employing a normative legal research methodology, the study uses a qualitative-normative approach that incorporates statutory, conceptual, and comparative analyses. It also examines Constitutional Court Decision Number 62/PUU-XXII/2024 regarding the presidential threshold, reaffirming the importance of equal and fair electoral mechanisms for all political parties. Findings indicate that exempting certain parties from factual verification undermines the constitutional principle of equal treatment and risks reducing competitiveness and inclusivity in the political system. The research proposes coalition-building mechanisms as a potential solution to preserve political diversity while adhering to the electoral threshold requirements. This study contributes a novel perspective by integrating recent Constitutional Court decisions and critically analysing their effects on Indonesia’s evolving democratic structure. It further recommends future research to assess the broader impacts of such reforms and to draw comparative insights from other democracies with consistent and equitable party verification practices

Conscientious Avoidance: How Knowledge in the Prosecutorial System Shapes Indonesia’s Transition?

The prevailing view in transitional justice studies suggests that Indonesia is experiencing a political transition without justice. In this article, we attempt to examine the conscientious avoidance of criminal prosecution of past gross human rights violation cases. Through the lens of sociology of punishment, we identify three factors that shape this current penal decision: the knowledge and domination in the penal system, the human rights-focused criminal victim protection and the welfare assistance as a symbolic reparation aimed at neutralising past atrocity crimes. This research employs a narrative approach under the discipline of socio-legal studies. This article contends that the decentralised structure of knowledge within the penal system reflects the dominance and authority in penal decisions, which consist of competing groups and interests. This complexity poses challenges at the institutional level in transforming the political motives behind past atrocities into criminal justice knowledge. The evolving nature of this knowledge within the country’s penal system indicates a future path for the prosecution of past atrocity crimes

Combating Phoenix Activity in Bangladesh: Insights from Australian Recent Reforms

  Many businesspeople employ deceptive tactics to generate profit. Among the worst offenders are those engaged in illegal phoenixing—a deliberate scheme to evade creditors by transferring company assets be-fore the company is liquidated. The absence of robust legal safeguards against this unethical and economically harmful practice exacerbates creditors’ losses, often impacting small depositors. It is, therefore, the state’s responsibility to close legal loopholes and strengthen laws to curb phoenixing by unscrupulous corporate directors. Recognising this, Aus-tralia reinforced its corporate legal framework in 2020 by amending its corporations’ legislation to combat illegal phoenixing. The reform im-poses statutory duties on corporate officers, including directors, to pre-vent creditor-defeating dispositions and holds individuals personally liable—both criminally and civilly—for engaging in, procuring, facilitat-ing, or encouraging such asset transfers. In contrast, Bangladesh lacks specific legal prohibitions against phoenixing, despite facing a more se-vere problem than Australia. Instead of tackling corporate misconduct, regulatory efforts have primarily focused on disciplining lenders in loan approvals, leaving delinquent borrowers or indebted companies un-checked. This article primarily examines Australia’s recent anti-phoenixing reforms and proposes legal overhauls for Bangladesh to ad-dress this persistent issue. The recommendations aim to prevent fraudu-lent asset transfers, safeguard financial institutions, and hold accounta-ble culpable corporate directors and officers. The findings may also benefit other jurisdictions confronting similar challenges

Indonesia’s 2024 Election: Constitutional Court Perspectives on Electoral Violations

In 2024, Indonesia held a historic general election in which, for the first time, presidential, vice-presidential, and legislative elections were conducted simultaneously across all regions of the country. However, the election was marred by indications of various violations that raised concerns about its integrity. This study investigates violations that occurred during Indonesia’s 2024 general elections by analysing Constitutional Court rulings on electoral disputes. Employing a qualitative case study approach supported by NVivo 12 Plus for data analysis, the research identifies key institutional actors involved in the disputes, including the General Election Commission, the Election Supervisory Body, political parties, and other stakeholders. The findings categorize electoral violations into three major types: administrative, ethical, and criminal. Administrative violations are largely attributed to procedural complexities, inadequate preparation, and limited time for implementation, leading to errors in electoral management. Ethical violations arise from misconduct by election officials and political actors, often breaching the standards outlined in the Indonesian Electoral Law. Criminal violations, the most severe, include state apparatus interference, vote-buying, and voter disenfranchisement, all of which severely compromise electoral integrity and democratic principles. These violations have resulted in significant legal consequences, such as mandated re-voting in specific regions, vote recounts, and the disqualification of candidates. The study highlights systemic weaknesses in Indonesia’s electoral governance and underscores the urgent need for institutional reforms to ensure fair, transparent, and accountable electoral processes. Ultimately, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing democratic consolidation in Indonesia and the legal mechanisms available to address electoral disputes

Homo Machina: Italian Perspectives on Drone Warfare within International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law

The rise of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) poses substantial challenges to international legal frameworks governing armed conflicts, particularly in balancing sovereignty and human rights. This paper examines the influence of military technology on jus ad bellum, focusing on territorial sovereignty under Article 2(4) of the UN Charter and self-defence under Article 51. It also evaluates compliance with jus in bello, or international humanitarian law (IHL), including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and necessity. Moreover, it documents the views of thirty Italians on UAVs through online qualitative interviews. The arguments are based on posthumanism, which helps define a new anthropological view that is decentralised and deconstructed. Precisely, the philosophy recognises the increasingly narrow differences between humans and non-humans, men and machines. Thematic Analysis drives the investigation of patterns within the data set, offering a flexible yet rigorous approach to personal insights. Outcomes reveal that UAVs enable many military achievements but endanger society. Participants viewed their use outside war zones as both illegal and morally indefensible, expressing concerns over the dehumanisation inherent in remote targeting. They argued that engaging with suspected terrorists without judicial oversight might violate due process. Hence, they stressed the importance of more nuanced national and international regulatory mechanisms.

Empowering Communities Through Old Oil Wells: Analyzing Legal Frameworks and Policy Gaps in Indonesia

This article examines the relationship between the operation of old oil wells, as governed by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation Number 1 of 2008, and the improvement of community welfare, particularly for communities surrounding mining areas. The regulation aims to empower communities by enabling their participation in oil well operations through Village Unit Cooperatives (KUD) and Regionally Owned Business Entities (BUMD). Employing a socio-legal approach, this study conceptualizes law as a functional social institution and investigates its application in three sub-districts in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province. The findings reveal that the regulation is ineffective due to its complex permit requirements, which are perceived as a significant obstacle by local communities, thereby impeding its objectives. Moreover, the regulation lacks explicit legal provisions to address community welfare by exploiting old oil wells. To address these shortcomings, the study recommends revising the regulation to simplify licensing procedures and include explicit provisions that promote community welfare. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for policy instruments, such as legal assistance, mentoring, technical and non-technical guidance, and continuous supervision, to support community-led mining activities. These measures are essential to ensure that the operation of old oil wells contributes meaningfully to the welfare of local communities, aligning with the regulation's intended goals