Strengthening Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council Through Judicial Review by the Constitutional Court

Abstract

Indonesia’s Regional Representative Council, the second chamber in the nation’s legislative system, has been criticized as insignificant because its role in law-making is unequal to that of the more powerful House of Representatives. Various efforts have been made to remedy the situation, including the submission of judicial reviews before the Constitutional Court. This article analyzes whether judicial review has succeeded in enhancing the role and powers of the Council. Using an evidence-based research approach, it examines the extent to which decisions made by the Constitutional Court have improved the Council’s powers. Application of this analysis offers the potential to broaden understanding of the development of the Council and its efforts to strengthen its powers.