The legitimacy of customary criminal law institutions in the imposition of just punishment toward the implementation of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Criminal Code
Keywords:
Legitimacy, Customary Criminal Law, Living Law, Justice, Indonesian Criminal Code 2023Abstract
The concept of living law within society has become an important subject of study, particularly in anticipation of the implementation of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP). The new Indonesian Criminal Code, also referred to as the National Criminal Code, is scheduled to take effect in early 2026. Its enforcement presents dilemmas and new dynamics for both law enforcement authorities and the general public. Moreover, several criminal provisions have sparked debate among the public, particularly with regard to legal principles contained in the Code, including the application of living law in society, commonly referred to as adat law (adatrecht). This study adopts a normative legal approach with a descriptive research design and a statutory approach. The sources of data used are secondary materials, consisting of three categories: primary legal materials in the form of legislation; secondary materials such as books, journals, and scholarly writings; and tertiary materials such as legal dictionaries, online resources, and encyclopedias. Data collection was carried out through library research, and the data were analyzed qualitatively. Article 2 of the Criminal Code is not intended to revive the traditional customary court system, but rather to provide legitimacy to legal institutions that remain living within society. The existence of living law in society does not contradict the principle of legality, which is based on the philosophical foundation of nulla poena sine lege meaning that punishment can only be imposed on the basis of written criminal law. However, living law also aligns with the philosophical principle of nulla poena sine jure, which means that no punishment can exist without law, including laws that live within society. The application of living law is subject to important limitations: it must not conflict with the Criminal Code, the 1945 Constitution, human rights principles, or universally recognized international norms. Customary law, however, has proven to be more effective in resolving community disputes, as communal and spiritual values remain deeply rooted in social life, making it a swift mechanism for restoring harmony within society.
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