Law-Making Process: Why It Takes So Long in Indonesia—My Honest Take on the Snail Pace

JAKARTA, turkeconom.com – Hey guys, let’s dive deep into something that’s always got me kinda baffled: the Law-Making Process: Why It Takes So Long in Indonesia. If you’ve ever waited for a law to change or seen the news about government debates dragging on for months (even years!), you know how slow this train can move.

Understanding the Law-Making Process: Why It Takes So Long in Indonesia

I’m not just writing this for the sake of it. Trust me, as someone who’s lived here most of my life, watching major changes crawl at a snail’s pace, it’s frustrating! My friends and I would joke: “By the time that law passes, our kids might be old enough to read it.” And sometimes, I wonder if that’s actually true.

The law-making process in Indonesia is, by design, supposed to be meticulous. There’s actually a good reason for wanting each step checked and double-checked, to prevent any funny business. But here’s the catch—sometimes, this ‘careful checking’ becomes endless talk with little action. The main stages? A bill (or RUU) is proposed, debated in commission meetings, “harmonized” with multiple stakeholders, then voted on, and finally gets signed.
Sounds simple, right? But it’s not. With layers of bureaucracy, every step is more like a marathon in mud than a quick sprint.

Why Does It Take So Long?

Okay, let’s get real: why is the law-making process in Indonesia slower than my morning coffee routine?

Bureaucracy and Multiple Stakeholders

You have the DPR (the House of Representatives), the government (ministries, president’s office), and stakeholders from both business and civil society. Imagine trying to organize a huge family reunion where nobody can agree on the menu, let alone the time or place. That’s basically how it is. My uncle works as a legal assistant and often says, “Approval needs more than good ideas—it needs a bunch of signatures and endless meetings. One person’s ‘yes’ can mean waiting for 10 more to get onboard.”

Politic Drama—Not Just on TV

And you can’t ignore politic factors. When there’s a big law to be passed, political factions in DPR start jockeying for position, adding amendments, or sometimes blocking progress just to gain leverage. Think of it like a football match that never ends because the teams keep arguing with the referee. I’ve seen this happen during the Omnibus Law debates—one week, it feels close, then suddenly everything hits a brick wall over one sentence in the document.

Public Consultation (and Procrastination)

Another part of the process that drags things out? Those endless periods for public feedback. Don’t get me wrong—public input is crucial. But sometimes it’s just a box-ticking exercise or used as an excuse to delay. During the pandemic, I remember tons of Zoom webinars where the public was “consulted.” Out of curiosity, I joined a couple. Way too many times, important voices were drowned out or, frankly, ignored. So no surprise things don’t exactly move fast.

Common Mistakes I’ve Seen—And Lessons Learned

Assuming Quick Fixes

When I first got into following government and legal processes, I was all about finding shortcuts: “Maybe they just need more meetings?” Nope, more meetings often lead to more confusion. The lesson? Speed doesn’t equal better in Indonesia’s legislative jungle—sometimes rushing it creates bad laws that later get revised or canceled.

Underestimating the Power of Lobbying

I used to wonder why laws ended up totally different from the original draft. Turns out, lobbying is real, and super influential. Business groups, NGOs, and, yes, international interests weigh in—sometimes in ways we’ll never see reported on the news. The tip? Never assume what comes out is exactly what went in. Always check for last-minute surprises before you celebrate.

Examples That Hit Home

If you want a famous example, look no further than the Alcohol Bill (RUU Larangan Minuman Beralkohol). It’s been up for debate since 2015. Every year, it pops back into the news, and every year, it’s the same story—religious groups, business lobbies, and political parties can’t see eye to eye.

Or the Omnibus Law in 2020, which was pushed hard by the government and still took months of marathon meetings, protests in the streets, and tons of edits before it finally made it across the finish line. Even after that, dozens of implementing regulations had to be ironed out. Safe to say, “done” is a moving target.

Stats Don’t Lie

According to the Indonesian Parliament’s website, the average time from bill proposal to final law can range from 1 to 3 years. Some, like the Land Law, have taken over a decade! If you’re waiting on a brand-new environmental regulation, don’t hold your breath.

Tips for Keeping Up (And Keeping Sane!)

1. Set Realistic Expectations: If your favorite issue is up for debate, know that even “urgent” bills can stall for ages.
2. Follow Credible News: Don’t stick to one outlet. Sometimes, independent legal NGOs like ICEL or LBH Jakarta offer more transparent updates than mainstream TV.
3. Join or Watch Public Consultations: Even if you can’t always impact the process, being there helps you catch red flags early.
4. Use Social Media to Push for Speed: A hashtag campaign isn’t magic, but sometimes public pressure can give the process a nudge—especially when government wants to look good to voters.
5. Understand Who’s Involved: Try mapping out which parties/ministries sponsor the bill. This gives you clues about possible delays or where compromises will be made.

Final Thoughts—From One Impatient Indonesian to Another

The law-making process in Indonesia is full of surprises—sometimes positive, often just plain slow. I get the urge to rage-quit when progress drags, but staying informed (and persistent) actually does help.
The more you know about how this tangled system works, the easier it is to spot when things finally start moving. Whether you’re a policymaker, student, or just curious, at least now, you’re in on the real story behind the process.
If you ever feel defeated by the slow motion, remember: every law that finally passes helps shape our future—even if it took way too long to get there. So hang on, stay sharp, and don’t be afraid to call out the BS when you see it. That’s the only way we’ll ever see this process get better.

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