Challenges of Implementing Public Involvement in Environmental Approval in the Regions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25134/unifikasi.v13i01.1400Keywords:
Environmental Consent, Environmental Justice, Public ParticipationAbstract
This study aims to analyze the implementation of public involvement in environmental approvals under Article 26 of Law Number 32 of 2009 in Majalengka Regency, addressing the gap between legal norms and field reality. Purpose: The purpose is to identify the implementation, assess its effectiveness, and examine the factors inhibiting public participation. Methods: In order to achieve the stated objectives, a socio-legal method was adopted, with descriptive-analytical qualitative analysis. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 20 respondents, comprising 10 affected community members and 10 academics, alongside literature reviews. Results: The obtained results showed that public participation remains an administrative formality, as the community reported being ignored, subjected to intimidation, and burdened by complicated bureaucratic processes, while academics pointed to weaknesses in regulations and local government capacity. Conclusion: Based on the observations, it was inferred that public involvement was ineffective, primarily because the factor remained confined to procedural formalities. Suggestion: To address this issue, suggestions include comprehensive structural reforms, such as implementing environmental education, strengthening the apparatus capacity, and integrating digital technology to facilitate access to information and minimize conflict. Contribution: The contribution and novelty of this study are in the integration of a procedural justice framework into the evaluation of environmental approvals through a triangulation of perspectives. By repositioning public participation as a governance instrument that determines legitimacy and accountability, the present investigation produces implementation indicators replicable enough to support more inclusive policy improvements in the future.
References
Abas, Azlan, Kadir Arifin, Mohd Azhar Mohamed Ali, and Muhammad Khairil. “A Systematic Literature Review on Public Participation in Decision-Making for Local Authority Planning: A Decade of Progress and Challenges.” Environmental Development 46 (2023): 100853.
Adrian, Adrian, Widiatmaka Widiatmaka, Khursatul Munibah, and Irman Firmansyah. “Enhancing Agricultural Protection Areas Under Spatial Restrictions: A Case Study of Majalengka Regency, Indonesia.” Geography, Environment, Sustainability 17, no. 1 (2024): 67–82.
Aldyan, Arsyad, Kartika Asmanda Putri, Rizal Akbar Aldyan, and Abdelrahman Alasttal. “Local Wisdom-Based Environmental Management Policy in Indonesia: Challenges and Implementation.” Journal of Law, Environmental and Justice 2, no. 3 (December 30, 2024): 332–354. https://journal.iueam.org/index.php/JLEJ/article/view/100.
Amirullah, Setyo. “Tinjauan Yuridis Terhadap Pembangunan Pagar Laut Dalam Perspektif Perlindungan Lingkungan Hidup Dan Partisipasi Publik.” Al-Zayn : Jurnal Ilmu Sosial & Hukum 3, no. 2 (2025): 731–743.
Anbiya, Hafiizh Sufi. “Program Kartu Tani: Analisis Hambatan Dari Persfektif Interest Group Di Kabupaten Majalengka Tahun 2020-2023.” Journal of Politic and Goverment Studies 13, no. 3 (2024): 320–334.
Aprita, Serlika, Syamsul Syamsul, and Shafa Nabila Utami. “Implementasi Undang-Undang Nomor 32 Tahun 2009 Dalam Pencegahan Masalah Lingkungan Di Kelurahan Tanjung Raja Timur.” Samakta: Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat 1, no. 2 (2024): 63–69.
Ardiyanto, Bagus Fajar, Intan Rahayu, Andhika Ivan, and Putra Pamungkas. “Efektivitas Partisipasi Publik Dalam Penyusunan Peraturan Daerah.” PESHUM : Jurnal Pendidikan, Sosial dan Humaniora 5, no. 2 (2026): 4211–4219.
Azhara, Melisa Ayu, and Siti Ruhama Mardhatillah. “Partisipasi Publik Dalam Penyusunan Dokumen Analisis Dampak Lingkungan Pasca Berlakunya Undang-Undang/Perppu Cipta Kerja.” Jurnal Hukum Ius Quia Iustum 30, no. 2 (2023): 256–276.
Bell, Shannon Elizabeth, Michael Hughes, Grace Tuttle, Russell Chisholm, Stephen Gerus, Danielle R. Mullins, Cameron Baller, Kelly Scarff, Rachel Spector, and Denali Sai Nalamalapu. “Pipelines and Power: Psychological Distress, Political Alienation, and the Breakdown of Environmental Justice in Government Agencies’ Public Participation Processes.” Energy Research and Social Science 109, no. December 2023 (2024): 103406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.103406.
Delyarahmi, Sucy, and Rahmi Murniwati. “Peran Serta Masyarakat Dalam Penyusunan Analisis Mengenai Dampak Lingkungan Dalam Rangka Perlindungan Hak Atas Lingkungan Hidup.” Unes Journal of Swara Justisia 7, no. 3 (2023): 1063–1084.
Fonchingong Che, Charles. “Reframing Social Justice through Indigenous Know-How: Implications for Social Development, Policy and Practice.” Global Social Policy 24, no. 1 (2024): 5–24.
Gade, Anna M. “Climate, Sustainability, and Future Generations: An Ecotheology for Indonesia’s Ummah of ‘Nonidentity.’” Studia Islamika 32, no. 3 (2024): 467–489.
Hasan, Adib, and Erri N Megantara. “The Public Participation Shifting of Environmental Impact Assessment During Covid-19 Outbreak.” Edited by S. Withaningsih, D. Supyandi, G.L. Utama, and A.D. Malik. E3S Web of Conferences 249 (April 7, 2021): 01009. https://www.e3s-conferences.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202124901009.
Hasanah, Aprilia Wahidatul, Anggita Oktaviana, and Rayi Kharisma Rajib. “Analisis Dampak Pengesahan Undang-Undang Nomor Permasalahan Lingkungan Bidang Pertambangan Di Kalimantan.” Jurnal Multidisiplin Ilmu Akademik 1, no. 3 (2024): 288–298.
Januartini, Ni Luh Eka, and Ni Ketut Selamat Kariyani. “Analisis Yuridis Pengaruh Penebangan Liar Terhadap Perubahan Iklim Dalam Perspektif Hukum Nasional Dan Internasional.” ITRA: Jurnal Hukum Lingkungan, Tata Ruang, dan Agraria, 4, no. 1 (2024): 33–47.
Laksana, Satya. “Fiscal Policy Reform of West Java Province for Economic Equity and Sustainable Development.” Creative Research Journal 10, no. 02 (2024): 107–132. https://crjournal.jabarprov.go.id/index.php/crj/article/view/375.
Laksito, Fx Hastowo Broto, Aji Bawono, and Afridah Ikrimah. “Reducing Community Participation in the Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA): Evidence from Indonesia.” Journal of Law, Environmental and Justice 2, no. 2 (2024): 137–161.
Ma’rifah, Ma’rifah, Riana Kesuma Ayu, Abdul Karim, Gede Agung Kurniawan, Yuza Rahmatullah, and Susilawati Susilawati. “Partisipasi Publik Penyusunan Amdal Berdasarkan Undang-Undang Cipta Kerja.” Wasaka Hukum 11, no. 2 (2023): 91–100.
Mao, Kuo Ray, Zhong Zhao, and Yue Xu. “The Blueway and the Red Line Spiderweb: Assessing the Impact of Repressive and Ideological State Apparatuses on Environmental Protests in China.” Asian Politics and Policy 17, no. 2 (2025): 1–11.
Marina, Ida, Sri Ayu Andayani, and Kosasih Sumantri. “Review of Food Crop Leading Commodities: Location Analysis and Economic Growth in Majalengka Regency.” Journal of Innovation and Research in Agricultur 2, no. 02 (2023): 7–14.
Mutolib, Abdul, Uu Nurul Huda, and Ine Fauzia. “Community Participation in the Process of Making an Environmental Impact Assessment Associated with Law Number 6 of 2023 Concerning Job Creation.” Jurnal Jatiswara 39, no. 3 (2024): 378–387.
Muzanni, Adonis, Tri Edhi Budhi Soesilo, Dwi Nowo Martono, Udi Syahnoedi Hamzah, Wezia Berkademi, and David Febraldo. “Review of Environmental Management System Implementation in the Oil and Gas Company in Indonesia.” IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1111, no. 1 (2022): 1–6.
Nasution, Siti Arbiah, and Mhd Latip Kahpi. “Isu Lingkungan Global Dan Lokal : Perubahan Iklim , Energi , Air Dan Sampah.” Sinergi : Jurnal Ilmiah Multidisiplin 1, no. 2 (2025): 2915–2940.
Ningrum, Valencia Prasetyo. “Environmental Law Enforcement In Law Number 32 of 2009 Concerning Environmental Protection and Management.” Asian Journal of Social and Humanities 01, no. 08 (2023): 351–356. https://ajosh.org/.
Nugroho, Wahyu, and Agus Surono. “Rekonstruksi Hukum Pembangunan Dalam Kebijakan Pengaturan Lingkungan Hidup Dan Sumber Daya Alam.” Jurnal Hukum Lingkungan Indonesia 4, no. 2 (2018): 77–110.
Pardede, Marulak, Mosgan Situmorang, Syprianus Aristeus, Ismail Rumadan, Henry Donald Lumban Toruan, Diogenes, Djamilus, and Ellen Lutya Putri Nugrahani. “Perspectives of Sustainable Development vs. Law Enforcement on Damage, Pollution and Environmental Conservation Management in Indonesia.” Journal of Water and Climate Change 14, no. 10 (2023): 3770–3790.
Prapti, Derita, Muhammad Rustamaji, Faisal Faisal, and Rafiqa Sari. “Legal Effectiveness of Business Contracts in Tin Mining : Socio-Legal and Governance Challenges in Corporate – Community Relations in Indonesia.” Resources Policy 111, no. October (2025): 105767.
Prasetyo, Erwin, Bayu Dwi Anggono, and R A Rini Anggraeni. “Penyederhanaan Perizinan Lingkungan Hidup Di Kabupaten / Kota Melalui Undang-Undang Nomor 6 Tahun 2023 Tentang Penetapan Peraturan Pemerintah Pengganti Undang-Undang Nomor 2 Tahun 2022 Cipta Kerja Menjadi Undang-Undang.” Hukum Inovatif : Jurnal Ilmu Hukum Sosial dan Humaniora 1, no. 4 (2024): 40–50.
Safitri, Sindi Kurnia, and Wasti Reviandani. “Analisis Pemberian Kredit Pada Kpri ‘Harapan’ Plumpang.” Entrepreneur : Jurnal Bisnis Manajemen dan Kewirausahaan, 5, no. 1 (2024): 31–46.
Schulz, Amy J, Gretta M. Rempel Fisher, Aresha Nadeem, Kathryn Savoie, Barbara A Israel, Theresa Landrum, Natalie Sampson, and Erin Stanley. “Procedural Justice in Environmental Decision-Making: An Analysis of Public Participation Language in State-Level Cumulative Impact Legislation.” Environmental Justice 18, no. 6 (December 1, 2025): 411–422.
Siombo, Marhaeni Ria, and Emmanuel Ariananto Waluyo Adi. “Desa Berwawasan Lingkungan Melalui Sinkronisasi Kewenangan Desa Dan Pelibatan Masyarakat Dalam Proses Persetujuan Lingkungan.” Bina Hukum Lingkungan 5, no. 3 (2021): 452–468. http://www.bhl-jurnal.or.id/index.php/bhl/article/view/bhl.v5n3.4.
Sisma, Annisa Fianni, I Gusti Ayu Ketut Rachmi Handayani, Lego Karjoko, and Ravi Danendra. “Mapping Public Participation in EIA in Indonesia: Recommendations for an Ideal Concept.” Sriwijaya Law Review 9, no. 2 (July 31, 2025): 351–371. https://journal.fh.unsri.ac.id/index.php/sriwijayalawreview/article/view/3607.
Subekti, Rahayu, and Amalina Ghaisani Putri. “Partisipasi Masyarakat Dalam Penyusunan Amdal Di Kabupaten Sukoharjo.” Jurnal Pendidikan Kewarganegaraan Undiksha 10, no. 1 (2022): 167–186.
Sulton, Rijal Muhammad. “Potensi Partisipasi Masyarakat Dalam Pengembangan Ekowisata Di Kawasan Terasering Panyaweuyan Argapura Kabupaten Majalengka.” In Prosiding FTSP Series, 1924–1931, 2023.
Suškevičs, Monika, Triin Ehrlich, Kaja Peterson, Olavi Hiiemäe, and Kalev Sepp. “Public Participation in Environmental Assessments in the EU: A Systematic Search and Qualitative Synthesis of Empirical Scientific Literature.” Environmental Impact Assessment Review 98, no. March 2022 (January 2023): 106944.
Ulya, Farhan Izzatul, Emilda Yofita2, Febri Wulandar, and Yunita Desmawati. “Penguatan Partisipasi Masyarakat Dalam Proses Perizinan Lingkungan Melalui Konsep Citizen Power.” Padjajaran Law Review 8, no. 1 (2020): 84–98.
Yuniardi, Ricky Rachmat, Yoyok Suharyanto, and Agus Satory. “Dampak Penyederhanaan Perizinan Lingkungan Yang Diatur Oleh Undang-Undang No 11 Tahun 2020 Tentang Cipta Kerja Terhadap Lingkungan Hidup Masyarakat Serta Pelaku Usaha.” Al-Adl: Jurnal Hukum 16, no. 1 (2024): 160–177.
Yusmiati, Yusmiati, Imamulhadi Imamulhadi, and Supraba Sekarwati. “Guidelines For Environmental Offenders in the Environmental Enforcement System Based on Law Number 32 of 2009.” LITRA : Jurnal Hukum Lingkungan Tata Ruang dan Agraria 2, no. 2 (2023): 189–214.
Yusuf, Muhammad, Muda Azka, Irwan Triadi, and Slamet Tri Wahyudi. “Reconstruction of Public Participation in The AMDAL Licensing Process in Indonesia.” Indonesia. International Journal of Social Science and Humanity 2, no. 2 (2025): 139–149.
Zakaria, Iwan Acuan, Moh. Ery Kusmiadi, and Mariya Azis. “Peran Serta Masyarakat Dan Kewenangan Kelembagaan Pengelolaan Lingkungan Hidup Berbasis Pariwisata Berdasarkan Tinjauan Yuridis.” Equality Before The Law 2, no. 1 (2022): 1–11.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Nida Alifah Amir, Wiwin Widiyaningsih, Yeni Nuraeni, Yuki Rahmat Fauzi
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
UNIFIKASI is licensed under a 