Yusril: Law on Professional Organisations Needed to Distinguish from Associations

Jakarta — Law and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra has stressed that an Law on Professional Organisations is necessary to differentiate professional organisations from general associations.

He noted that there remains widespread confusion between professional organisations, associations, foundations, civil organisations (ormas), and political parties. “The confusion arises because many civil organisations and associations regard themselves as professional organisations,” Yusril stated at a National Gathering in Jakarta on Thursday.

Yusril emphasised that a professional organisation should comprise members of various professionals within a specific field, led by professionals from that field, and dedicated to serving the interests of that profession. Consequently, not everyone can become a member of a professional organisation.

However, Yusril expressed regret that Indonesia currently lacks a comprehensive law regulating professional positions. He acknowledged that drafting such legislation was an unfinished task during his tenure as Justice and Human Rights Minister from 2001 to 2004, though numerous laws were enacted during that period, including laws on advocates and notaries.

“Only two laws remain incomplete: the Law on Professional Organisations and the Law on Non-Governmental Organisations,” he stated.

Currently, professional organisations in Indonesia are governed by various separate laws. Yusril cited examples such as employers’ organisations regulated under the Law on Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the Indonesian Medical Association (IDI) governed under health legislation.

However, Yusril highlighted that the absence of a dedicated law on professional organisations means these bodies lack clearly defined rights to grant qualifications, issue licences, make recommendations, and establish ethical codes—distinguishing features that separate them from general associations. “One can form an association without opposition, but an association cannot impose sanctions on a doctor committing malpractice. This authority is currently absent,” Yusril emphasised.