The Urgency of Implementing Meaningful Participation in Forming Laws in Indonesia

Abstract

This research engages regarding meaningful participation in the formation of laws. There have been several demonstrations over the Bill discussion. The most recent demonstration is a protest opposing the Health Bill discussion. Demonstrations signify that meaningful participation needs to be appropriately implemented. This research is intended to determine the urgency, implementation and challenges of meaningful participation. The research method used is normative juridical research. The finding revealed the essential and strategic role of meaningful participation on the formation of laws. Ideally, the Formation of Law should facilitate genuine public participation and active involvement. The public's right to provide input is an implementation of 1) right to be heard, 2) right to be considered, and 3) right to be explained. Even if the input is not accepted, it is expected that the community will acknowledge the decision with a reasonable explanation (legowo). Given that Meaningful participation is a novel concept, it is anticipated to encounter challenges, primarily concerning the political factor of law, which is inseparably linked to the political configuration of the governing regime.