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Reform of the Land Registration System in Indonesia: A Max Weberian Rational-Legal Bureaucracy Approach

Pandecta Research Law Journal · Vol. 20 No. 2 (2025) · pp. 717–756

DOI
10.15294/pandecta.v20i2.13666
ISSN
2337-5418, 1907-8919
Published
2025-12-25
Publisher
Universitas Negeri Semarang
Language
eng
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Abstract

Social transformation and the increasing economic value of land in Indonesia have intensified the demand for legal certainty in land rights. Although Law Number 5 of 1960 introduced land registration to provide legal protection through certification, the prevailing negative publication system with positive elements remains problematic. It fails to ensure state responsibility for certificate accuracy, even when acquired in good faith, thus posing risks of legal uncertainty and agrarian conflict. This study analyzes the rationale for transitioning to a pure positive publication system using Max Weber’s rational-legal bureaucracy theory, emphasizing formal procedures, predictability, and administrative accountability. Employing normative legal research with conceptual, statutory, comparative, and historical approaches, this study draws from secondary legal materials analyzed through legal interpretation and the Weberian framework. The findings reveal that a positive publication system better aligns with Weberian principles and supports legal certainty. This reform is essential for enhancing land administration legitimacy and promoting inclusive, accountable agrarian governance in Indonesia.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 119 co-authorship links · 3 across different organisations · showing the 40 most connected

Hover or tap a name to highlight its co-authors. Double-click to open the author's page.

  • Hasanuddin University
  • Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember
  • Sebelas Maret University
  • Institut Teknologi dan Sains Mandala
  • Universitas Gadjah Mada
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Fatma Ulfatun NajichaAffiliation unknown5
Andi AmriHasanuddin University4
Hartiwiningsih HartiwiningsihAffiliation unknown4
Ravi DanendraAffiliation unknown4
Andi Adri AriefHasanuddin University3
Zaidah Nur RosidahAffiliation unknown3
Abdul Kadir JaelaniAffiliation unknown3
Willy Naresta HanumAffiliation unknown3
Muhammad Ainurrasyid Al FikriAffiliation unknown2
Hilaire TegnanAffiliation unknown2
Adi SulistiyonoSebelas Maret University2
Agung MuliawanInstitut Teknologi dan Sains Mandala1
Retantyo WardoyoUniversitas Gadjah Mada1
Andi Baso KaswarInstitut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember1
Sardar Faroq Ahmad KhanAffiliation unknown1
Fitria Nur Dina SalamAffiliation unknown1
Magfirah AuliaAffiliation unknown1
Rezki Nurul Jariah S.IntamAffiliation unknown1
Bismar HimawanAffiliation unknown1
Mardiana Ethrawaty FachryHasanuddin University1
Amiluddin AmiluddinHasanuddin University1
Nisfah Ainun MardiyahHasanuddin University1
Arie Syahruni CangaraHasanuddin University1
Kadek MudiyanaHasanuddin University1
Firman FirmanHasanuddin University1
Muhammad Dalvi MustafaHasanuddin University1
Rezki Inta FawaidHasanuddin University1
Esther Sanda ManapaAffiliation unknown1
Benny Audy Jaya GosariAffiliation unknown1
Arum FaindahAffiliation unknown1
Sulaiman GosalamAffiliation unknown1
Sakka PatiHasanuddin University1
Ifayanti RidwanHasanuddin University1
Yunus MusaHasanuddin University1
Muh FaridHasanuddin University1
Hatta JamilHasanuddin University1
NursiniAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/pandecta/oai, first harvested 6 Nov 2026, last seen 8 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Reform of the Land Registration System in Indonesia: A Max Weberian Rational-Legal Bureaucracy Approach</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Abdul Wahid</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">I Gusti Ayu Ketut Rachmi Handayani</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Lego Karjoko</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Bureaucratic</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Land Registration</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Positive Publication System</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Rationality</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">Social transformation and the increasing economic value of land in Indonesia have intensified the demand for legal certainty in land rights. Although Law Number 5 of 1960 introduced land registration to provide legal protection through certification, the prevailing negative publication system with positive elements remains problematic. It fails to ensure state responsibility for certificate accuracy, even when acquired in good faith, thus posing risks of legal uncertainty and agrarian conflict. This study analyzes the rationale for transitioning to a pure positive publication system using Max Weber’s rational-legal bureaucracy theory, emphasizing formal procedures, predictability, and administrative accountability. Employing normative legal research with conceptual, statutory, comparative, and historical approaches, this study draws from secondary legal materials analyzed through legal interpretation and the Weberian framework. The findings reveal that a positive publication system better aligns with Weberian principles and supports legal certainty. This reform is essential for enhancing land administration legitimacy and promoting inclusive, accountable agrarian governance in Indonesia.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">Universitas Negeri Semarang</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-12-25</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/pandecta/article/view/13666</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.15294/pandecta.v20i2.13666</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Pandecta Research Law Journal; Vol. 20 No. 2 (2025): December, 2025; 717-756</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2337-5418</dc:source>
	<dc:source>1907-8919</dc:source>
	<dc:source>10.15294/pandecta.v20i2</dc:source>
	<dc:language>eng</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://journal.unnes.ac.id/journals/pandecta/article/view/13666/7785</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2025 Abdul Wahid, Prof. Dr. I Gusti Ayu Ketut RH, S.H., M.M. , Prof. Dr. Lego Karjoko, S.H., M.H.  (Author)</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>