Shifting Regulatory Paradigms in the Political Development of National Environmental Law

Eko Nuriyatman; Fitria Fitria; Pahlefi Pahlefi; Melia Rizki Ruswandi; Seguito Monteiro

doi:10.15294/ijel.v5i1.34498

Authors

Eko Nuriyatman Faculty of Law, Universitas Jambi Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6890-3121
Fitria Fitria Faculty of Law, Universitas Jambi, Indonesia Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4395-4561
Pahlefi Pahlefi Faculty of Law, Universitas Jambi Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9439-1492
Melia Rizki Ruswandi Faculty of Law, Universitas Jambi Author https://orcid.org/0009-0000-1941-4797
Seguito Monteiro Fakuldade Direito Universidade Dili Author https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6545-8420

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15294/ijel.v5i1.34498

Keywords:

Environmental Law, Job Creation Law, Sustainable Development, Environmental Impact Assessment, Public Participation.

Abstract

This article examines the shifting paradigm of Indonesian environmental law following the enactment of the Job Creation Law, which introduced significant deregulation in environmental governance. The primary problem addressed is the weakening of preventive and control mechanisms, particularly the simplification of environmental permits and the reduction of public participation in Environmental Impact Assessment. The research aims to analyze the legal implications of these changes and to propose reform strategies that maintain a balance between economic development and environmental protection. Employing a normative legal research method with statutory, conceptual, and comparative approaches, this study explores the consistency of the Job Creation Law with the constitutional right to a healthy environment and the principles of sustainable development. The findings reveal that the deregulation framework prioritizes investment facilitation at the expense of environmental safeguards, thereby creating potential risks of ecological degradation and legal uncertainty. Comparative analysis with Malaysia and Bangladesh demonstrates that stronger EIA mechanisms and community involvement remain central to ensuring environmental accountability. The study concludes that the current regulatory framework in Indonesia requires rethinking and reorientation toward a more balanced legal design. Strengthening institutional capacity, restoring meaningful public participation, and embedding sustainability principles into regulatory reforms are essential for aligning Indonesian environmental law with constitutional mandates and global environmental governance standards.

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