Constitutional Review Mechanisms for Village Regulations in Indonesia

Authors

  • Didik Sukriono Universitas Negeri Malang, Indonesia image/svg+xml
  • Alfan Bramantya Universitas Wisnuwardhana Malang, Indonesia
  • Sudirman Sudirman image/svg+xml
  • Dewi Fortuna Sari Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur, Indonesia
  • Neola Hestu Prayogo image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26532/jh.v42i3.51827

Keywords:

Constitutional Review, Decentralization Law, Legal Effectiveness, Regulatory Oversight, Village Regulations

Abstract

This article examines the effectiveness of constitutional control mechanisms applied to village regulations within Indonesia’s statutory system. Although village governments possess regulatory authority under Law Number 6 of 2014 on Villages, ambiguities remain regarding supervision and constitutionality testing of village regulations under Law Number 12 of 2011 and Law Number 23 of 2014. This research employs a socio‑legal study design combining doctrinal legal analysis with empirical field investigation. Empirical data were gathered by document analysis, focus group discussions, and interviews involving village and local administrators in several regencies in East Java. The study analyzes three mechanisms of constitutional control: executive preview and executive review conducted by regency governments, legislative review carried out by village institutions, and judicial review practiced by the Supreme Court. The findings demonstrate that, despite the existence of multiple supervisory mechanisms, their practical implementation remains weak and fragmented. Executive supervision often operates informally, legislative deliberation in villages is frequently less substantive, and judicial review mechanisms are rarely utilized due to limited legal awareness. Consequently, the effectiveness of constitutionality testing of village regulations remains low. This study contributes to constitutional review and decentralization literature by identifying legal and institutional barriers to effective village regulatory oversight.

Author Biography

  • Sudirman Sudirman
    ACADEMICIAN

References

Friedman, Lawrence M., The Legal System: A Social Science Perspective. New York City, Russell Sage Foundation, 1975;

Ginsburg, Tom, and Aziz Z Huq., How to Save a Constitutional Democracy. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2018; https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.7208/9780226564418/html;

Manan, Bagir., Nilai-Nilai Dasar Keindonesiaan Dan Negara Hukum. In Memperkuat Peradaban Hukum Dan Ketatanegaraan Indonesia, 1–36. Sekretariat Jenderal Komisi Yudisial Republik Indonesia, 2019; www.komisiyudisial.go.id;

Pierre, Jon, and Guy B Peter., Governance, Politics and the State. London, Red Globe, 2020;

Prawirosentono, Suyadi., Manajemen Sumberdaya Manusia Dengan Kebijakan Kinerja Karyawan. Yogyakarta, BPFE, 1999;

Agustina, Enny., The implementation of Law Number 6-year 2014 on village government. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity, And Change Vol.9, no.11, 2019;

Albreiki, Saif, Ali Ameen, and Amiya Bhaumik., Impact of Internal Government Efficiency and Service Delivery Infrastructure on the Smart Government Effectiveness in UAE. International Journal on Emerging Technologies Vol.10, no.1a 2019; www.researchtrend.net;

Al-Fatih, Sholahuddin, Ali Roziqin, Muhammad Dahlan Asyari, and Souad Ezzerouali., Legal Reform in Village Law-Making Process Using Artificial Intelligence: Is It Necessary? Journal of Law and Legal Reform Vol.6, no.2, 2025; doi:10.15294/JLLR.V6I2.21116;

Al-Fatih, Sholahuddin., Does the village community have autonomy? between constitutional recognition and international law. Jurnal Hukum Novelty Vol.16, no.2, 2025;

Alkadafi, Muammar, Susanti Susanti, Sadu Wasistiono, and Mani Festati Broto., Hybrid and Collaborative Governance Model for Village Development in Indonesia. Jurnal Administrasi Publik (Public Administration Journal) Vol.15, no.2, 2025; doi:10.31289/jap.v15i2.14443;

Annahar, Nasrun, Ida Widianingsih, Entang Adhy Muhtar, and Caroline Paskarina., The Road to Inclusive Decentralized Village Governance in Indonesia. Sustainability 2023, Vol.15, no.11, 2023; 8616. doi:10.3390/SU15118616;

Ansell, Christopher, Carey Doberstein, Hayley Henderson, Saba Siddiki, and Paul ‘t Hart., Understanding Inclusion in Collaborative Governance: A Mixed Methods Approach. Policy and Society Vol.39, no.4, 2020; doi:10.1080/14494035.2020.1785726;

Antlöv, Hans., Village government and rural development in Indonesia: The new democratic framework. Bulletin of Indonesian Economic Studies Vol.39, no.2, 2003; https://doi.org/10.1080/00074910302013;

Arisjulyanto, Dyto., The Position and Legal Authority of Village Regulations within the Hierarchy of National Legislation. Journal of Social And Education Research Vol.3, no.3, 2025; doi:10.63265/JSER.V3I3.131;

Astariyani, Ni Luh Gede, I. Gede Yusa, Bagus Hermanto, and Rosino da Cruz., Legal Hermeneutics in Reforming Preparation of Village Regulation: Case of Indonesia and Timor Leste. Al-Risalah: Forum Kajian Hukum Dan Sosial Kemasyarakatan Vol.25, no.1, 2025; doi:10.30631/ALRISALAH.V25I1.1754;

Astariyani, Ni Luh Gede, Mariko Hattori, and Willy Naresta Hanum., The Validity of Sanctions Arrangements in Regional Regulations. Journal of Human Rights, Culture and Legal System Vol.4, no.3, 2024; doi:10.53955/JHCLS.V4I3.313;

Azhar, Aisha, and Trui Steen., Underlying Assumptions of Public Service Motivation: A View from the Developing World. Asia Pacific Journal of Public Administration Vol.45, no.3, 2023; doi:10.1080/23276665.2022.2121294;

Bagijo, Himawan Estu, Alfan Bramantya, Sonya Claudia Siwu, and Fitria Esfandiari., The Legal Framework and Enforcement Issues of Religious Holiday Allowances. Legality: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum Vol.34, no.1, 2026; doi:10.22219/LJIH.V34I1.42520.

Bar-Siman-Tov, Ittai., Semiprocedural Judicial Review. Legisprudence Vol.6, no.3, 2012; doi:10.5235/17521467.6.3.271;

Christensen, Tom, and Per Lægreid., Future challenges of public administration. Public Performance & Management Review Vol.2, nol.1, 2025; doi:10.1080/15309576.2025.2549297;

Correa-Martínez, César Alberto, Dacmar Andrea Báez Mesa, Ruth Carolina Blanco Alvarado, David Augusto Echeverry Botero, and Carolina Angulo-Name., Legal and Socio-Legal Research: New Epistemological Strategies for the Current Global Context. Revista Científica General José María Córdova Vol.23, no.52, 2025; doi:10.21830/19006586.1557;

Diamantina, Amalia, and Fajar Ahmad Setiawan., Village Dependency to Local Governments in the Village Head Position Filling According to Village Law. Diponegoro Law Review Vol.8, no.1, 2023; doi:10.14710/DILREV.8.1.2023.93-106;

Dixon, Rosalind, and David Landau., 1989–2019: From Democratic to Abusive Constitutional Borrowing. International Journal of Constitutional Law Vol.17, no.2, 2019; doi:10.1093/icon/moz038;

Eule, Julian N., Judicial Review of Direct Democracy. The Yale Law Journal Vol.99, no.7, 1990; doi:10.2307/796652;

Hariyanto, Andi Tenri Yeyeng, Betsy Anggreni Kapugu, Yusuf Ibrahim Arowosaiye, and Muhammad Saleh Tajuddin., Democratization of Village Autonomy in the Construction of Indonesian Administrative Law: Is It Possible? Jurnal Media Hukum Vol.32, no.2, 2025; doi:10.18196/jmh.v32i2.25216;

Hooghe, Liesbet, and Gary Marks., A Postfunctionalist Theory of Multilevel Governance. British Journal of Politics and International Relations Vol.22, no.4, 2020; doi:10.1177/1369148120935303;

Ibrahim, Mohammad., Does the Indonesian judicial review system need reform? Austl. J. Asian L. Vol.22, 2022;

Indra, Mexsasai, Geofani Milthree Saragih, Dessy Artina, Mohd. Yusuf DM, Ahmad Gelora Mahardika., The Idea of the Bottom-Up Paradigm to Top-Down in Regional Arrangement in Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum Unissula Vol.40, no.2, 2024; doi:10.26532/jh.v40i2.38493;

Isdiyanto, Ilham Yuli., Village Sovereignty in Dispute Resolution after Law No 6 of 2014 Concerning Village. Jurnal Media Hukum Vol.26, no.2, 2019; doi:10.18196/JMH.20190136;

Iskandar, Rusli Kustiaman, and Fabian Fadhly Jambak., Village Law in the Struggle of Indonesian Legal Policy. PETITA Vol.10, 2025; https://doi.org/10.22373/petita.v10i1.469;

Jahani Chehrehbargh, Fatemeh, Abbas Rajabifard, Behnam Atazadeh, and Daniel Steudler., Current Challenges and Strategic Directions for Land Administration System Modernisation in Indonesia. Journal of Spatial Science Vol.69, no.4, 2024; doi:10.1080/14498596.2024.2360531;

Jayuska, Rizki, I. Gusti Ayu Ketut Rachmi Handayani, Isharyanto Isharyanto, Ismail Marzuki, and Achmad Fawaid., The Ambiguous Authority of Provincial Governors in Customary Law Recognition: Regulatory Fragmentation in Indonesia’s Decentralization Era. Khazanah Hukum Vol.7, no.2, 2025; https://doi.org/10.15575/kh.v7i2.46367;

Jeffrey, Alex., Legal Geography III: Evidence. Progress in Human Geography Vol.45, no.4, 2021; doi:10.1177/0309132520973756;CTYPE:STRING:JOURNAL;

Jiwa Utama, Tody Sasmitha., Impediments to establishing adat villages: a socio-legal examination of the Indonesian village law. The Asia Pacific Journal of Anthropology Vol.21, no.1, 2020; https://doi.org/10.1080/14442213.2019.1670240;

Jordan, Andrew, and Dave Huitema., “Polycentric Governance.” In Routledge Handbook of Environmental Policy. Oxfordshire, Taylor and Francis, 2023; doi:10.4324/9781003043843-6;

Kelsen, Hans., General Theory of Law and State. General Theory of Law and State. Oxfordshire, Taylor and Francis, 2005; doi:10.4324/9780203790960;

Kirby, Amy, and Lucy Welsh., Socio-Legal Studies and Criminal Justice: Reflections on Participation. Journal of Law and Society Vol.52, no.1, 2025; doi:10.1111/JOLS.12545;CTYPE:STRING:JOURNAL;

Kridasakti, Sri Wahyu, Mohamad Fadli, Abdul Madjid, and Chanif Nurcholis., Chronic Disease of State Corporatism in Indonesian Village Government. Sriwijaya Law Review Vol.6, no.2, 2022; DOI: 10.28946/slrev.Vol6.Iss2.403.pp304-318;

Kridasakti, Sri Wahyu, Rina Elsa Rizkiana, Purwaningdyah Murti Wahyuni, Ni Made Jaya Senastri, and Henny Yuningsih., The legitimacy crisis of Customary Villages under Indonesia’s village Law. Sriwijaya Law Review Vol.2, no.2, 2025; https://doi.org/10.28946/slrev.v9i2.3998;

Kridasakti, Sri Wahyu, Rina Elsa Rizkiana, Purwaningdyah Murti Wahyuni, Ni Made Jaya Senastri, and Henny Yuningsih., The Legitimacy Crisis of Customary Villages Under Indonesia’s Village Law. Sriwijaya Law Review Vol.9, no.2, 2025; doi:10.28946/SLREV.V9I2.3998;

Martitah, Martitah, Ristina Yudhanti, Slamet Sumarto, and Widiyanto Widiyanto., Pseudo-Kebijakan Otonomi Desa: Analisis Kritis Berdasarkan Praktek Di Lapangan. Jurnal Pengabdian Hukum Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Legal Community Engagement) Vol.4, no.1, 2021;

Mayne, Quinton, Jorrit De Jong, and Fernando Fernandez-Monge., State Capabilities for Problem-Oriented Governance.” Perspectives on Public Management and Governance Vol.3, no.1, 2020; doi:10.1093/ppmgov/gvz023;

Mukhlis, Muhammad Mutawalli, Maskun, Ahmad Masum, Muhammad Saleh Tajuddin, Wa Ode Intan Kurniawati, Yusuf Ibrahim Arowosaiye, and Naswar., Examining the Implementation of Participatory Village Autonomy: Models of Community Engagement and Application in Strengthening Inclusive Governance in Indonesia. Indonesian Journal of Legal Community Engagement Vol.8, no.1, 2025; doi:10.15294/JPHI.V8I1.21226;

Nasir, Gamal Abdul, Khudzaifah Dimyati, and Absori Absori., Jaminan Hukum atas Pengakuan dan Eksistensi Hak Ulayat pada Masyarakat Hukum Adat. Lex Publica Vol.6, no.1, 2019;

Nurdin, Zefrizal., Legal Protection of Customary Rights under Legal Pluralism and Its Impact on the Minangkabau Society: An Empirical Study in the District of Lima Puluh Kota, West Sumatra. Cogent Social Sciences Vol.8, no.1, 2022; doi:10.1080/23311886.2022.2045722;

Nurhayati, Sri, Agus Riwanto, and Isharyanto., Faktor Pendukung Dan Penghambat Peran Badan Permusyawaratan Desa Tawengan Dalam Proses Penetapan Peraturan Desa. Jurnal Hukum Dan Pembangunan Ekonomi Vol.6, no.2, 2018; doi:10.20961/hpe.v6i2.17738;

Øjvind Nielsen, Rasmus, Eva Sørensen, and Jacob Torfing., Drivers of Collaborative Governance for the Green Transition. Public Management Review Vol.26, no.12, 2024; doi:10.1080/14719037.2024.2358321;

Ovádek, Michal, Phillip Schroeder, and Jan Zglinski., Where Law Meets Data: A Practical Guide to Expert Coding in Legal Research. European Law Open Vol.3, no.4, 2024; doi:10.1017/ELO.2024.23;

Petrakis, Panagiotis E., The Legislative Process and Regulatory Interventions in the Greek Democracy: Deep-Rooted Weaknesses and Recommendations for Improvement. Statute Law Review Vol.45, no.1, 2024; doi:10.1093/SLR/HMAE001;

Rachman, Noer Fauzi, and Hasriadi Masalam., The trajectory of indigeneity politics against land dispossession in Indonesia. Sriwijaya Law Review Vol.1, no.2, 2017; https://doi.org/10.28946/slrev.Vol1.Iss1.13.pp122-142;

Rainey, Hal G., and Paula Steinbauer., Galloping Elephants: Developing Elements of a Theory of Effective Government Organizations. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory Vol.9, no.1, 1999; doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.jpart.a024401;

Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés, and Miquel Vidal-Bover., Unfunded Mandates and the Economic Impact of Decentralisation. When Finance Does Not Follow Function. Political Studies Vol.72, no.2, 2024; doi:10.1177/00323217221136666;

Sabara, Abdul Rahman., Regional Autonomy in the Political System and Authority in Indonesia. Diponegoro Law Review Vol.7, no.2, 2022; doi:10.14710/DILREV.7.2.2022.296-311;

Sabet, Naser Shafiei, and Sogand Khaksar., The Performance of Local Government, Social Capital and Participation of Villagers in Sustainable Rural Development. The Social Science Journal Vol.61, no.1, 2024; doi:10.1080/03623319.2020.1782649;

Sakila, Yola Cindytia, and Maria Madalina., Peranan Badan Permusyawaratan Desa Dalam Pembentukan Peraturan Desa Di Desa Brahu Kecamatan Siman Kabupaten Ponorogo. Res Publica: Jurnal Hukum Kebijakan Publik Vol.4, no.2, 2020; doi:10.20961/RESPUBLICA.V4I2.45775;

Salahuddin, Surip, and Muhamadong., Proses Penyusunan Peraturan Desa (Perdes) Inisiatif Badan Permusawaratan Desa Di Desa Monta Baru Kecamatan Lambu Kabupaten Bima. Jurnal Komunikasi Dan Kebudayaan Vol.7, no.1, 2020; https://jurnal.universitasmbojobima.ac.id/index.php/jkk/article/view/49;

Saraswati, Retno, Aprista Ristyawati, and Rigan Sasunu Basworo., Recent developments and changes in the governance of regional legal products in Indonesia: Supervision, evaluation and clarification mechanisms. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change Vol.12, no.7, 2020;

Schmidt, Julia., The Legality of Unilateral Extra-Territorial Sanctions under International Law. Journal of Conflict and Security Law Vol.27, no.1, 2022; doi:10.1093/JCSL/KRAC005;

Suartina, Tine., Between control and empowerment: Local government acknowledgment of adat communities and adat villages in Indonesia. Indonesia Law Review Vol.10, no.3, 2020; http://dx.doi.org/10.15742/ilrev.v10n3.679;

Supriyanto, Bambang, and A. F. Azhari., Village financial and asset management based on village autonomy principles towards self-village (Case study in Central Java Province, Indonesia). International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology Vol.29, no.3, 2020;

Temel, Nurten Derici., Revisiting Good Governance: Good Enough Governance and Just Enough Governance Approaches as a Functional Framework for Developing Countries. Journal of Management and Economics Research Vol.20, no.3, 2022; doi:10.11611/yead.1145075;

Walker, Neil., Populism and Constitutional Tension. International Journal of Constitutional Law Vol.17, no.2, 2019; doi:10.1093/icon/moz027;

Wardhani, Lita Tyesta Addy Listya, Muhammad Dzikirullah H. Noho, and Aga Natalis., The Adoption of Various Legal Systems in Indonesia: An Effort to Initiate the Prismatic Mixed Legal Systems. Cogent Social Sciences Vol.8, no.1, 2022; doi:10.1080/23311886.2022.2104710;

Warjiyati, Sri, Safrin Salam, Jan Alizea Sybelle, Imaduddin Abil Fida, and Ridwan., The Legalization and Application of Osing Indigenous People’s Customary Law Model in the Legal System. Lex Localis - Journal of Local Self-Government Vol.21, no.4, 2023; doi:10.4335/21.4.853-875(2023);

Wartoyo, Franciscus Xaverius, and Dinda Triwijanarko., Legal reconstruction of mediation in village conflict resolution based on dignified justice. Jurnal Hukum Unissula Vol.41, no.3, 2025; doi:10.26532/jh.v41i3.44297;

Wibowo, Mardian, I. Nyoman Nurjaya, Muchammad Ali Safaat, and Jazim Hamidi., The Criticism on the Meaning of ‘Open Legal Policy’ in Verdicts of Judicial Review at the Constitutional Court Mardian Wibowo. Constitutional Review Vol.3, no.2, 2017; doi:10.31078/CONSREV326;

Wiratraman, Herlambang P., Constitutional Struggles and the Court in Indonesia’s Turn to Authoritarian Politics. Federal Law Review Vol.50, no.3, 2022; doi:10.1177/0067205X221107404;

Wirdaniati, Wida, Irman Firmansyah, Vidya Mar’atusholikha, and Siti Nurhajanah., Model Legalisasi Sertifikasi Tanah di Perdesaan dan Proyeksi terhadap Nilai Manfaat Kepemilikan. Jurnal Hukum Unissula Vol.38, no.2, 2022; doi:10.26532/jh.v38i2.18480;

MPR-RI. TAP MPR No. III/MPR/2000 Tahun 2000 Tentang Sumber Hukum Dan Tata Urutan Peraturan Perundang-undangan, Pub. L. No. III/MPR/2000, 2000.

Downloads

Published

2026-08-08

How to Cite

Constitutional Review Mechanisms for Village Regulations in Indonesia. (2026). Jurnal Hukum, 42(3), 670-699. https://doi.org/10.26532/jh.v42i3.51827

Similar Articles

1-10 of 215

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.