Legal Policy on the Recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Rights in the Draft Indigenous Peoples' Law

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the legal construction of recognition for indigenous legal communities (MHA) in the Draft Law on Indigenous Peoples (RUU MHA) and analyze it within the context of Indonesia’s legal politics. Indigenous communities are a vital part of national diversity whose existence is acknowledged in Article 18B paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution. However, such recognition remains conditional and has yet to be effectively implemented. This research employs a normative legal method with statutory, historical, and conceptual approaches. The findings reveal that the RUU MHA offers a more comprehensive legal framework to secure the recognition of indigenous rights, including communal land, customary institutions, and freedom of belief. However, political challenges and overlapping regulations hinder its realization. In terms of legal politics, recognition of MHA is not yet a legislative priority, as seen in the delayed enactment of the bill since its inclusion in the 2012 National Legislation Program. Therefore, strong political will and legal reform are required to ensure that indigenous communities are fully recognized and protected. The RUU MHA is expected to become a legal instrument that fosters social justice and safeguards the rights of indigenous peoples in Indonesia.Tulisan ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji konstruksi hukum pengakuan terhadap masyarakat hukum adat (MHA) dalam Rancangan Undang-Undang Masyarakat Hukum Adat (RUU MHA) serta menganalisisnya dalam konteks politik hukum di Indonesia. MHA merupakan bagian dari keragaman bangsa yang eksistensinya diakui dalam Pasal 18B ayat (2) UUD 1945. Namun, pengakuan ini bersifat bersyarat dan belum diimplementasikan secara efektif. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode normatif dengan pendekatan perundang-undangan, historis, dan konseptual. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa RUU MHA memberikan kerangka hukum yang lebih lengkap untuk menjamin pengakuan atas hak-hak MHA, termasuk hak ulayat, kelembagaan adat, dan kebebasan berkeyakinan. Namun, tantangan politik dan tumpang tindih regulasi menjadi penghambat utama dalam realisasi RUU tersebut. Dalam konteks politik hukum, pengakuan terhadap MHA belum menjadi agenda prioritas, terbukti dari lambannya pengesahan RUU MHA sejak masuk Prolegnas 2012. Oleh karena itu, diperlukan komitmen politik dan reformasi hukum yang berpihak pada masyarakat adat. RUU MHA diharapkan menjadi instrumen yang dapat mewujudkan keadilan sosial dan menjamin keberlanjutan hak-hak masyarakat hukum adat di Indonesia.