Dynamics of Legislative Authority and Function in the Contemporary Indonesian Political System

Abstract

This study discusses the structural and authority changes of the legislative institutions in Indonesia following the revision of Law No. 2 of 2018 concerning the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), the House of Representatives (DPR), the Regional Representative Council (DPD), and the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) (UU MD3). Using a normative juridical approach, this research examines the relationship between legal norms and institutional practices after the amendment. The findings indicate that the revision of the UU MD3 has significant implications for the configuration of legislative power but has not fully achieved a balance of functions among institutions. The dominance of the DPR, the limited legislative role of the DPD, and the functional inconsistency of the DPRD at the regional level remain major challenges in implementing the principle of checks and balances. Institutional reconstruction is required to uphold accountability, strengthen regional representation, and improve participatory legislation. This study emphasizes that legislative institutional reform should aim to strengthen a responsive, democratic, and just legal system in accordance with modern constitutional principles