Legal reform is imperative

Legal reform is imperative

From Media Indonesia

After enjoying independence for more than half a century,
Indonesia still retains law inherited from the Netherlands, its
former colonizer. Various legal terms remain in Dutch, which is
understood by only a handful of people in the country.

One such law concerns the mining sector. Mining companies
often need explosives to operate. General mining firms that
produce copper, iron, silver, gold and other minerals usually
demand large quantities of explosives.

When they apply for permits for their explosives magazines,
they generally face difficulties because the provisions in force
still follow colonial rules, which allow only small quantities,
against the actual needs of giant companies in this development
era.

Another example is the recent news that in order to secure
land certificates, 500 farmers in Lampung had to wait for 44
years.

Ironically, in spite of the fairly large number of law
graduates, the ministry in charge of legal reform in Indonesia is
seemingly slow to act: How come?

H IFRODI SUKANTO
Jakarta