Implementation Gap of Constitutional Court Decision on Customary Forest Recognition in Aceh
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.26623/jic.v11i3.13841Keywords:
Customary Forest, Indigenous Peoples, Constitutional Rights, Constitutional Court Decision 35/PUU-X/2012, Legal EffectivenessAbstract
This study aims to analyze the normative and empirical effectiveness of Constitutional Court Decision Number 35/PUU-X/2012 in protecting the constitutional rights of indigenous peoples regarding customary forest recognition in Aceh and to examine the factors contributing to its implementation gap. Although the decision constitutionally recognizes customary forests as the rights of indigenous peoples, formal recognition in Aceh remains substantially limited, creating a persistent disparity between constitutional guarantees and administrative realization that threatens legal certainty, indigenous rights protection, and sustainable forest governance. This issue demonstrates the urgency of evaluating whether constitutional adjudication has effectively produced substantive legal protection in practice. This study employs a socio-legal approach by integrating normative juridical analysis through statute, conceptual, and case approaches with empirical evaluation based on official data concerning customary forest recognition in Aceh up to 2024. The findings reveal that the implementation of the decision remains ineffective, as evidenced by the recognition of only 22,549 hectares out of more than 100,000 hectares of customary forests claimed by indigenous communities. The implementation gap is primarily caused by regulatory disharmonization, bureaucratic complexity, fragmented institutional authority, limited legal and technical assistance, and competing political-economic interests. The novelty of this research lies in integrating constitutional legal analysis with empirical measurement of implementation effectiveness while positioning Aceh's special autonomy and legal pluralism as a distinctive constitutional governance framework. The study concludes that constitutional recognition alone is insufficient to ensure substantive justice without comprehensive institutional, administrative, and regulatory reforms that strengthen the protection of indigenous peoples' constitutional rights.
References
Adianto, Daru, and Muamar. “Peranan Budaya Hukum Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup Dan Kehutanan Dalam Penetapan Hutan Adat.” Jurnal Suara Hukum 4, no. 2 (2022): 435–55. https://doi.org/10.26740/jsh.v4n2.p435-455.
Asiama, Kwabena, and Anthony Arko-Adjei. “An Experiment on the Role of Participatory GIS in the Adjudication Process of Customary Lands.” Survey Review 55, no. 389 (March 4, 2023): 178–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/00396265.2022.2040869.
Basyar, Taufik Qul, Arfa’i, and Iswandi. “Analisis Pengelolaan Hutan Adat Pasca Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Nomor 35/PUU-X/2012.” Limbago: Journal of Constitutional Law 4, no. 1 (2024): 30–45. https://doi.org/10.22437/limbago.v4i1.20000.
Fahmi, Chairul, and Muhammad Siddiq Armia. “Protecting Indigenous Collective Land Property in Indonesia under International Human Rights Norms.” Journal of Southeast Asian Human Rights 6, no. 1 (2022): 1–25. https://doi.org/10.19184/jseahr.v6i1.30242.
Fajar, Paulus Pora Putra, Sukardan Aloysius, and Husni Kusuma Dinata. “Implikasi Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Nomor 35/PUU-X/2012 Terhadap Pengaturan Hutan Adat Dan Dampaknya Terhadap Hak Masyarakat Adat.” Perkara: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Dan Politik 2, no. 2 (2024): 39–61. https://doi.org/10.51903/perkara.v2i2.1844.
Fajri, Rahmat. “KLHK Tetapkan 22.549 Hektare Wilayah Hutan Adat Di Aceh.” Antara News, 2023. https://www.antaranews.com/berita/3738018/klhk-tetapkan-22549-hektare-wilayah-hutan-adat-di-aceh.
Fatima, Samza. “Employability of a Research Method and Methodology in a Socio-Legal Study.” Global Social Sciences Review VIII, no. I (2023): 341–51. https://doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2023(viii-i).31.
Gatti, Lauren, and Paula McAvoy. “Theorizing to Cases: A Methodological Approach to Qualitative Normative Cases.” Educational Theory 74, no. 3 (2024): 350–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/edth.12611.
Hariyanto, Moh. Arif, and Azis Budianto. “Protection of Indigenous Peoples Law Based on the 1945 Constitution.” In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Law, Social Science, Economics, and Education, ICLSSEE. Jakarta: EAI: Research Meets Innovation, 2021. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.6-3-2021.2306460.
Helfianti, Sutri, Husni Jalil, Adwani, and Azhari. “Land Governance and the Unfulfilled Promise of Aceh’S Special Autonomy: Legal Schism and Political Stress.” Veredas Do Direito 22, no. 3 (2025): e223628. https://doi.org/10.18623/rvd.v22.n3.3628.
Iriyani, Silfi, Muhmammad Arman, Bramasto Nugroho, Damayanti Buchori, and Fitta Setiajiati. “Indigenous Custodianship and Timber Legality Assurance System: Challenges and Opportunities for Customary Forest Management in Indonesia.” Jurnal Sylva Lestari 12, no. 3 (2023): 929–47. https://doi.org/10.23960/jsl.v12i2.734.
Iriyani, Silfi, Ahmad Humam Hamid, Agus Setyarso, and Hairul Basri. “Chapter 5 - Provincial Autonomy and Forest Management Unit Legislation in Aceh Province, Indonesia: A Review of Regulatory Asynchronies.” In Natural Resource Governance in Asia: From Collective Action to Resilience Thinking, edited by Raza Ullah, Shubhechchha Sharma, Makoto Inoue, Sobia Asghar, and Ganesh B T - Natural Resource Governance in Asia Shivakoti, 55–66. Elsevier, 2021. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85729-1.00011-6.
Kamula, Ari Ade, Rachmad Safa’at, and Imam Koeswahyono. “Restoration of Indigenous People’s Rights in Natural Resources Management.” International Journal Of Humanities Education and Social Sciences (IJHESS) 2, no. 6 (2023): 2010–21. https://doi.org/10.55227/ijhess.v2i6.472.
Khanna, Shomona. “Forest Rights and the Forest Rights Act.” In The Oxford Handbook of Environmental and Natural Resources Law in India, edited by Philippe Cullet, Lovleen Bhullar, and Sujith Koonan, 487–506. Oxford University Press, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198884682.013.28.
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 9, no. 2 (2025): 432–56. https://doi.org/10.28946/slrev.v9i2.3998.
Kusuma, Aprisep Ferdhana, Muhammad Alif K. Sahide, Ris Hadi Purwanto, Ema Ismariana, Widodo Budi Santoso, Eka Wulandari, and Ahmad Maryudi. “Emergent Institutional Issues from New Tenure Reforms and Social-Forestry Initiatives in Indonesia: Notes from The Field.” Forest and Society 7, no. 2 (2023): 450–66. https://doi.org/10.24259/fs.v7i2.28319.
Lubis, Ikhsan, Duma Indah Sari Lubis, and Andi Hakim Lubis. “Integration Of Customary Legal Values And Modern Mediation In The Framework Of Land Dispute Resolution.” Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Prima 8, no. 1 (2025): 62–80. https://doi.org/10.34012/jihp.v8i1.5781.
Mahmuddin, Mahmuddin, and Eka Juniar. “Konstelasi Negara Dan Kelembagaan Adat Dalam Pengelolaan Hutan Adat Di Aceh.” Banda Aceh, 2020.
Mansur, Teuku Muttaqin, M. Adli Abdullah, Muslim Amiren, and Hasbi Ali. “Challenges in Documenting and Formalizing Customary Court System in Aceh, Indonesia.” Petita: Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Hukum Dan Syariah 9, no. 1 (2024): 98–113. https://doi.org/10.22373/petita.v9i1.230.
Mubarok, Asnawi, Absori, Harun, and Sheela Jayabalan. “The Relationship Of State Law And Customary Law: Reinforcement And Protection Of Customary Law In Constitutional Court Judgment.” Jurnal Jurisprudence 13, no. 2 (2023): 188–204. https://doi.org/10.23917/jurisprudence.v13i2.2914.
Natsir, Muhammad, Ferdi Ferdi, Muh Din, Akmal Handi Ansari Nasution, and Zaki Ulya. “Unwise Criminal Environmental Law Policies In Protecting Aceh’s Customary Forests From Destruction.” Journal of Law and Legal Reform 7, no. 1 (2026): 1–22. https://doi.org/10.15294/jllr.v7i1.22464.
Natsir, Muhammad, Fuadi, Darmawan, Zaki Ulya, and Siti Sahara. “The Relevance of Islamic Principles in Environmental Management in Aceh.” Petita: Jurnal Kajian Ilmu Hukum Dan Syariah 9, no. 1 (2024): 31–43. https://doi.org/10.22373/petita.v9i1.209.
Natsir, Muhammad, Fuadi Fuadi, and Zaki Ulya. “Perwujudan Sila Keadilan Sosial Dalam Pengelolaan Lingkungan Hidup Dikaitkan Upaya Penanggulangan Kemiskinan Di Aceh.” Bina Hukum Lingkungan 7, no. 1 (2022): 80–93. https://doi.org/10.24970/bhl.v7i1.281.
Natsir, Muhammad, Zaki Ulya, Andi Rachmad, and Liza Agnesta Krisna. “Legal Forms Against Corporations as Perpetrators of Environmental Crime in Indonesia: Study Based on the Environmental Protection and Management Law.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 8, no. 2 (2024): 646–64. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v8i2.22071.
Ola Gelu, Klemens, Saryono Yohanes, and Ebu Kosmas. “Implikasi Hukum Putusan Mahkamah Konstitusi Nomor 35/PUU- X/2012 Terhadap Eksistensi Masyarakat Hukum Adat.” Comserva : Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengabdian Masyarakat 3, no. 2 (2023): 407–17. https://doi.org/10.59141/comserva.v3i02.778.
Qiftiah, Rabiatul. “Rekonstruksi Regulasi Pengakuan Dan Perlindungan Hak Ulayat Atas Tanah Masyarakat Hukum Adat Yang Berbasis Nilai Keadilan.” Disertasi. Universitas Islam Sultan Agung, 2024.
Ramadhan, Ayuda. “Konflik Agraria: Analisis Resolusi Konflik Agraria Sumber Daya Alam Di Aceh.” Jurnal Transformasi Administrasi 13, no. 1 (2023): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.56196/jta.v13i01.247.
Rudy, Ryzal Perdana, and Rudi Wijaya. “The Recognition of Customary Rights by Indonesian Constitutional Court.” Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies 10, no. 3 (2021): 308–18. https://doi.org/10.36941/AJIS-2021-0086.
Sagala, Hairun Tri Wahyuni. “Kajian Teori Pluralisme Hukum Terhadap Sistem Hukum Di Aceh.” Interdisciplinary Journal on Law, Social Sciences and Humanities 3, no. 2 (2022): 115. https://doi.org/10.19184/idj.v3i2.35095.
Sahide, Muhammad Alif K, Abdurrahman Abdullah, and Moira Moeliono. “Policy Forum: Indigenous Forest Rights at a Crossroads? A Critical Look at Indonesia’s Planned Forestry Law Amendment.” Forest Policy and Economics 185 (2026): 103730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2026.103730.
Saputri, Fitri Arianti. “Indigenous Peoples and the Constitution: Implementation of Traditional Rights Recognition in Modern Legal Foundations.” Journal of Adat Recht 1, no. 1 (2024): 37–47. https://doi.org/10.62872/8bsvnw62.
Sari, Raden Ajeng Diah Puspa. “Perlindungan Dan Kesejahteraan Masyarakat Adat Dalam Memenuhi Hak-Haknya Berdasarkan Pasal 18B UUD 1945.” Jurnal Hukum Dan HAM Wara Sains 2, no. 11 (2023): 1006–16. https://doi.org/10.58812/jhhws.v2i11.730.
Satmaidi, Edra. “A Legal Framework for Social Forestry Management That Provides Access Rights to Communities in Forest Resource Utilization.” Negrei : Academic Journal of Law and Govenance 5, no. 1 (2025): 1–26. https://doi.org/10.29240/negrei.v5i1.11994.
Siagian, Citra Tiurmasari Retta. “The Political Arrangement of Customary Forest in Indonesia: A Discursive Institutional Analysis.” Master of Science in Forest and Nature Conservation, 2021. https://edepot.wur.nl/561127.
Simarmata, Rikardo. “The Current Updates of the Progresses and the Challenges of Recognition of Customary Forests in Indonesia.” Jurnal Ilmu Kehutanan 18, no. 2 (2024): 142–52. https://doi.org/10.22146/jik.v18i2.12660.
Siyoto, Sandu, and M. Ali Sodik. Dasar Metodologi Penelitian. Edited by Ayup Ayup. Yogyakarta: Literasi Media Publishing, 2015.
Soekanto, Soerjono. Penelitian Hukum Normatif. Jakarta: Raja Grafindo Persada, 2004.
Solikin, Nur. Pengantar Metodologi Penelitian Hukum. Edited by Tim Qiara Media. Cet. Perta. Jawa Timur: Qiara Media, 2019.
Supiani, Yayan. “Legal Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Land Rights: Analysis of the Legal Framework to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals.” KnE Social Sciences 10, no. 27 (2025): 506–19. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v10i27.20087.
Swardhana, Gde Made, and Suviwat Jenvitchuwong. “The Participation within Indigenous Land Management: Developments and Challenges of Indigenous Communities Protection.” Journal of Human Rights, Culture and Legal System 3, no. 2 (2023): 308–27. https://doi.org/10.53955/jhcls.v3i1.72.
Tim Inkuiri Nasional Komnas HAM. Inkuiri Nasional Komisi Nasional Hak Asasi Manusia: Hak Masyarakat Hukum Adat Atas Wilayahnya Di Kawasan Hutan. Cet. 1. Jakarta: Komisi Nasional HAM RI, 2016.
Tobing, Tagor Manahan P.L., Sufiarina, and Erna Amalia. “The Implementation of the Acknowledgment of Rights through the Conversion of Customary Land Ownership.” International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) 8, no. 2 (2025): 1175–89. https://doi.org/10.47772/ijriss.2024.802078.
Wiratraman, Herlambang P. “Cultural Expertise and the Social Justice Defense of Indigenous Peoples Rights in the Indonesian Constitutional Court.” Constitutional Review 11, no. 2 (2025): 299–339. https://doi.org/10.31078/consrev1122.
Yulia, and Herinawati. “Customary Law of the Forest in North Aceh Regency.” Diponegoro Law Review 7, no. 2 (October 27, 2022): 328–43. https://doi.org/10.14710/dilrev.7.2.2022.328-343.
———. “Sosialisasi Dan Penyuluhan Hukum Pengelolaan Hutan Berbasis Kearifan Lokal Di Kabupaten Aceh Utara.” Jurnal ABDINUS : Jurnal Pengabdian Nusantara 6, no. 3 (2022): 716–24. https://doi.org/10.29407/ja.v6i3.16122.
Yulia, Yulia. “The Concept of Forest Management Based on Customary Forest Law in North Aceh Regency.” Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences 16, no. 1 (2022): 43–52. https://doi.org/10.9734/arjass/2022/v16i130277.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Jurnal Ius Constituendum
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The journal holds the copyright for each article published with work licensed simultaneously under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the authorship and early publication of the work in this journal.
