Andi Purnawati, Syamsul Haling, Irmawaty, Kamal & Mukhlis Lubis, The Decline of Legal Authority in Addressing Ecocide: an Environmental Law Analysis, AACL Bioflux, Vol. 18(1) pp. 489-499 (2025)

Ecocide on a large scale continues to pose a serious threat to ecosystems and communities in Indonesia. Cases such as illegal logging in Kalimantan and forest fires in Sumatra reveal the weakness of legal authorities in addressing environmental crimes. Although various regulations have been established, law enforcement is often hampered by a lack of coordination among agencies and economicpolitical pressures from interested parties. This study employs a qualitative approach with a case study method, combining in-depth interviews, observations, and document analysis to identify the root causes of the declining legal authority in handling ecocide. The main findings indicate that weak inter-agency synergy, strong economic-political interventions, and sanctions that do not provide a deterrent effect result in environmental criminals not facing serious consequences. Moreover, the lax oversight of illegal activities such as illegal logging exacerbates the situation, prolonging ongoing environmental damage. These findings underscore the need for fundamental reforms in environmental law enforcement in Indonesia, with an emphasis on strengthening coordination and implementing stricter sanctions to prevent further damage.