Environment Destruction in Indonesia: The Effectiveness of Indonesia’s Environment Law (Legal Sociology Perspective)

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Vol. 2 No. 1 (2025): Challenges and Dynamics of Law Enforcement in Indonesia Across Strategic Sectors
Published: Apr 9, 2025
Keywords:
Perusakan Lingkungan,
Kebakaran Lahan,
Legalitas Environment Destruction, Land Burning, Legal System.

Main Article Content

Claudio Ricky Adhitya
Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0986-6162
Kezia Elvira Nainggolan
Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya
Emi Juliana Sinaga
Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya
Ester Susanti
Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya
Vincentia Cordialia Halan
Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya

Abstract

The enjoyment and utilization of the environment is the right of the people of Indonesia as guaranteed under the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia. Therefore, the Government of the Republic of Indonesia issued Law Number 32 of 2009 on the Protection and Management of Environment (Environment Law) as the embodiment of the rights of the people of Indonesia to enjoy and utilize the environment. As time flew by, the execution of the Environment Law encountered issues due to violations toward said law, such as environment destruction in the form of land clearing by means of burning. Since the issuance of the Environment Law, violations have been carried out by several parties, including but not limited to law enforcers, business owners, and the people of Indonesia themselves. This research focuses on the prohibition toward environment destruction in the form of land clearing by means of burning as well as the reasons and the sociological factors affecting the effectiveness of the implementation of the environmental laws. This research is aimed to identify the main factors affecting the failure of the enforcement of the Environment Law as well as other environmental laws and regulations. In addressing the said issues, this research utilizes the normative legal research methodology towards secondary data consisting of environmental laws, analyzed using the qualitative data analysis methodology. In conclusion, ineffectiveness of Indonesian environment laws are due to weakness in its enforcement, ambiguity in its norms, and failure of Indonesian legal culture to adhere to its legal principles.

Article Details

How to Cite
Adhitya, C. R., Nainggolan, K. E., Sinaga, E. J., Susanti, E., & Halan, V. C. (2025). Environment Destruction in Indonesia: The Effectiveness of Indonesia’s Environment Law (Legal Sociology Perspective). Equality : Journal of Law and Justice, 2(1), 103–117. https://doi.org/10.69836/equality-jlj.v2i1.285
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Author Biographies

Claudio Ricky Adhitya, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya

Junior Lawyer and Certified Contract Drafter in a prominent law firm based in Jakarta. Having an educational background in law and expertise in the field of business law, corporate law, contract drafting, and criminal defense.

Kezia Elvira Nainggolan, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya

Legal Officer at RDTX Group. Having an educational background in law and currently pursuing a Master of Laws degree in Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya. Experienced in human resources, recruitment, industrial relations, and HR generalist roles from past experience of working for APAC Tokopedia and ByteDance. Having expertise in labor law, internal investigations, and policy development.

Emi Juliana Sinaga, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya

Industrial Relation Assistant Manager at Eurokars Group Indonesia, with an educational background in the field of law. Currently pursuing a Master of Laws degree in Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya.

Ester Susanti, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya

Vice President at PT Digital Kreasi Investama Group and Human Resources Business Partner Manager at PT Smartfren Telecom, with an educational background in the field of Political and Social Science. Having expertise in the field of human resources, sales, marketing, management, industrial relations, and manpower, from past experience working for Hilton Group and ACCOR Group.

Vincentia Cordialia Halan, Universitas Katolik Indonesia Atma Jaya

Head of Commercial (Business Controller & Supply Chain) at Bosch Rexroth Indonesia, with an educational background in Accounting. Holding a Master of Management degree in International Business, is a Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Management Accountant, Certified Financial Modeller, and Certified Meta Coach. Currently pursuing a Master of Legal Studies for deepening expertise in legal frameworks and regulatory compliance, integrating financial strategies with ethical and sustainable business principles.

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