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