Law of Indonesia

Module 2

The 1945 Constitution and national institutions: the presidency, the People’s Consultative Assembly, the House of Representatives and the Regional Representative Council, lawmaking, the separation of powers and elections

The 1945 Constitution, as amended four times between 1999 and 2002, declares that Indonesia is a unitary state in the form of a republic (Article 1(1)), that sovereignty belongs to the people and is exercised according to the Constitution (Article 1(2)) and that Indonesia is a state based on law (Article 1(3)). It sets up a presidential system: the President, directly elected, is head of state and head of government, and cannot be dismissed by the legislature except by impeachment, nor can he dissolve it. The People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), the House of Representatives (DPR) and the Regional Representative Council (DPD) are the national assemblies, and independent bodies run elections and audit the state’s money. A foreigner who invests, works or lives in Indonesia meets these institutions in licences, regulations and elections, so it helps to know who decides what.

General education on the law of Indonesia, using invented people and businesses. It states laws and procedures in simplified form and is not legal advice. The law and its practice change, and every case turns on its facts, the region and the authority concerned. It does not offer legal representation or a legal opinion on any case. Consult an Indonesian advocate for any real matter.

This course was written on 5 November 2026. To the best of our knowledge, it describes the law of Indonesia as it stood on that date. Laws change, and we may have missed or misunderstood something. If you notice a change, or have other information, please do not hesitate to contact us: we will review it and update the course. We do not claim to be the final source of the law.