Research area
Strategic Litigation
Strategic litigation team is the leading of legal action to bring more just energy transition, land rights, and protection of indigenous communities.
Village Cooperatives Sue at the Constitutional Court
The Head of Prawatan Village, Sajogyo Institute, and Koperasi Edukarya Negeri Lestari have filed a judicial review petition with the Constitutional Court concerning implementation of the Merah Putih Village/Urban-Village Cooperative program. The petitioners challenge the formation of cooperatives through government directives, the use of Village Funds for a central government program, and the risk of financing costs being borne by villages.
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Survey: A Report Card on Two Years of the Prabowo–Gibran Government
Two years is enough time for a government to demonstrate its performance. The honeymoon is over, and the promises Prabowo-Gibran once shouted from the campaign stage must now contend with the prices of basic necessities, jobs, and people’s wallets. This study is, in essence, a reflection of the public’s demands: what has been delivered, what was merely a promise, who has benefited most, and what impact it has had on society. The question should in fact be raised in parliament. However,
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High potential, low prosperity: Structural and regulatory gaps in rural renewable energy transition
Indonesia’s renewable energy transition is leaving rural communities behind. A new study by CELIOS finds that despite Indonesia’s enormous renewable energy potential, structural inequality, weak regulation, and extractive economic dependence continue to hinder equitable energy access in villages. The report documents several alarming trends between 2021–2024. Household solar adoption declined by 26.3%, biogas utilization dropped by 19.8%, and community-scale micro-hydro development fell by 10.1%
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Indonesia–US trade agreement challenged in court, civil society coalition warns of risks to economic sovereignty
A civil society coalition consisting of CELIOS, the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ), Solidaritas Perempuan, and supported by WALHI Nasional and Trend Asia has officially filed a lawsuit for Unlawful Government Act (Onrechtmatige Overheidsdaad) against the President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Jakarta Administrative Court (PTUN) on March 11, 2026. The lawsuit challenges the President’s decision to sign the Indonesia–United States Reciprocal T
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CELIOS Amicus Curiae – Administrative Court of Kupang
The Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) has submitted an amicus curiae in Case Number 26/G/TF/PTUN.KPG on behalf of Agustinus Tuju, an Indigenous community leader from Poco Leok, in a case concerning opposition to the geothermal development project against the Regent of Manggarai before the Administrative Court of Kupang. This legal opinion is presented to strengthen the protection of constitutional rights, particularly the freedom of peaceful expression and the rights of Indigenous communities
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Urgently calling for a new model of business, human rights, and environmental assessment
Sustainability instruments in Indonesia—such as PROPER, PRISMA, Norma 100, TKBI, and LKPM—remain fragmented and voluntary, lack field verification, and do not disclose results to the public. As a result, companies can engage in partial compliance without addressing real human rights and environmental harms on the ground. The CELIOS & PUSHAM UII study reveals that: 4 out of 5 national instruments are voluntary and unverified. Major conflicts in the LQ45 energy sector include environmental pollution, land disputes, community intimidation, road blockades, and heavy-equipment accidents.
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Survey: One-year performance scorecard for Prabowo–Gibran
One Year of Prabowo–Gibran: A Red Report Card from the Public CELIOS has released the results of its One-Year Performance Evaluation of the Prabowo–Gibran administration, assessing program achievements, leadership, budget governance, policy communication, and law enforcement. The evaluation was conducted through a panel survey of 120 journalists from 60 national media outlets and a public survey of 1,338 respondents across Indonesia. The results show a red report card in almost every sector. Prabowo Subianto scored 3 out of 10, Gibran
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IEU-CEPA: transition toward an anti-deforestation and low-carbon regime
The signing of the Indonesia–European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) on September 23, 2025, marks a strategic milestone for Indonesia’s non-oil and gas exports to access the European market starting in 2027. However, beyond its economic prospects, this agreement also signifies the beginning of a new phase of regulatory and governance reform. Under the agreement, Indonesia must align its domestic policies with two major EU frameworks: the EU Deforestation Regulation
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Expert testimony by CELIOS in the formal review process of Law Number 1 of 2025 on State-Owned Enterprises, which regulates the Sovereign Wealth Fund Danantara
On July 16, 2025, CELIOS was officially invited by the Constitutional Court to provide expert testimony in the judicial review of Law No. 1 of 2025 on the Third Amendment to the State-Owned Enterprises Law. Representing CELIOS, Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara presented an economic perspective that questioned the transparency of the legislative process and highlighted systemic risks arising from the law’s implementation. In his testimony, Bhima stressed
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Tax justice awaits Constitutional Court ruling, expert calls for VAT cut to boost economy
Jakarta, July 9, 2025 — The Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS) was formally invited to present expert testimony at the Constitutional Court hearing on the judicial review of Law No. 7 of 2021 on Value-Added Tax (VAT). CELIOS was represented by Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, Economist and Executive Director, and Media Wahyudi Askar, Director of Public Policy. The hearing focused on the implications of Articles 4 and 7 of the Law on the Harmonization of Tax Regulations (UU HPP), particularly regarding the policy
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Indonesia’s accession to the OECD: Recommendations for improving the Indonesian regulatory and institutional framework in the energy and environmental sectors
Indonesia’s efforts to join the OECD offer a strategic opportunity to align environmental and energy governance with international standards. This collaborative report by CELIOS and ICEL highlights several regulatory gaps that hinder a just and sustainable transition, particularly in environmental assessments, energy pricing, transparency, governance, and climate finance. The report’s findings show that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process remains exclusionary…
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Assessment of the moratorium on mining licenses in Java
Java, the most densely populated island in Indonesia, has long borne the brunt of unchecked extractive activities. Mining, particularly for cement production, has pushed the island beyond its ecological carrying capacity—eroding landscapes, threatening hydrological systems, and undermining the livelihoods of surrounding communities. What is often called “development” is instead driving an ecological crisis with long-term economic and social consequences. Through this assessment, CELIOS underscores
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Village heads’ legal vulnerabilities in the Red-White Village Cooperative
On June 18, 2025, CELIOS released a critical report titled “Ko Peras Desa Merah Putih: Legal Risks Await Village Heads.” The report exposes legal flaws, corruption risks, and the potential for political mobilization within the Merah Putih Village Cooperative (Kopdes MP) program initiated by the central government through Presidential Instruction No. 9/2025. CELIOS emphasizes that the establishment of Kopdes MP has no valid legal basis, relying solely on a presidential instruction and interministerial circulars—two instruments that are not...
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Legal opinion: risk mitigation framework for the phase-out of coal power plants operations in Indonesia’s just energy transition
CELIOS has published a Legal Opinion on Mitigating Legal Risks in the Energy Transition Program for Phasing Out Coal Operations as a resource for advocacy and dialogue with stakeholders to promote the accelerated, lawful and just closure of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs). The document examines legal challenges in terminating CFPP operations, including potential financial claims and the risk of criminalizing energy transition policies. The study focuses on four key questions: the definition of corruption involving state financial losses,
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Critique of the 2025 energy transition roadmap: the fallacy of techno-financial logic behind coal-fired power plant (PLTU) closures
This report critically examines Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Regulation No. 10 of 2025 on the Energy Transition Roadmap for the Electricity Sector, particularly its provisions on ending the operation of coal-fired power plants (PLTUs). It identifies a number of normative, methodological, and institutional weaknesses that instead hinder the acceleration of the energy transition. The roadmap was developed with minimal public participation and low transparency, while positioning PLN as the dominant actor in studies on the early retirement of PLTUs—a situation that
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How much do consumers lose from adulterated Pertamax? A recap of consumer complaints and consumer loss modeling
CELIOS and LBH Jakarta have released a report titled “How Much Do Consumers Lose from Adulterated Pertamax? A Recap of Consumer Complaints and Consumer Loss Modeling,” revealing the scale of the losses suffered by the public due to suspected fuel adulteration. The study captures consumers’ real-life experiences while also modeling the resulting economic impacts. The findings show that the losses are not only borne by individuals but also hit the national economy. These findings revea
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Legal issues and risks in the regulation of the establishment of Danantara
CELIOS has just released a Brief Analysis on various legal issues in the regulation of the Danantara Investment Management Agency (BPI). As a newly established super-holding entity created under Law No. 1 of 2025 and Government Regulation No. 10 of 2025, Danantara’s presence raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest, weak regulation, and insufficient oversight mechanisms. CELIOS’ findings highlight several critical issues: ministers holding multiple positions, potentially in violation of the State Ministry Law; losses
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100-day report of the Prabowo-Gibran Cabinet: Performance, challenges, and expectations
Several
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PSN eroding special autonomy and the rights of Indigenous Papuans: Land grabbing in the name of food and energy self-sufficiency
The National Strategic Project (PSN) for the Merauke Food and Energy Development Area in South Papua has raised serious concerns about agrarian governance. A CELIOS report titled “PSN Eroding Special Autonomy and the Rights of Indigenous Papuans” reveals that regional expansion through revisions to the Papua Special Autonomy Law has facilitated land grabbing from Indigenous communities as a result of a deliberate legal vacuum in spatial planning. “This shows that regional expansion through revisions to the Special Autonomy Law…
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Energy transition and deforestation: How regulations facilitate the escalation of agrarian conflicts
The Indonesian government continues to promote biomass development as an alternative to fossil fuels, including through Energy Plantation Forests (HTE), which are planned for inclusion in PLN’s RUPTL and the New and Renewable Energy Bill (RUU EBET). Bhima Yudhistira, Executive Director of CELIOS, noted that “the substantial demand for wood pellets for PLTU co-firing is not only for domestic use but also for export, including to Japan. The largest buyers of Indonesian wood pellets are Japan and South Korea, at 10 million tons and 64 million tons respectively.”
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The urgency of revising Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022, Article 3, Paragraph 4b: Ensuring the safety of the people and environment of Indonesia
Indonesia’s ambitious steps under Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022 are still insufficient to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. A critical gap lies in Article 3, Paragraph 4b, which still allows the construction of new coal-fired power plants for industrial use, even though industrial/captive coal-fired power plant capacity already accounts for nearly 30% of all operating coal-fired power plants. Revising this regulation is urgent to protect the environment and public safety. Without decisive action, this policy loophole risks undermining
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Amicus Curiae: Challenging Loopholes in University Tuition Fee Increases and Surcharges
In support of the legal challenge to Ministry of Education and Culture Regulation No. 2 of 2024 concerning the Standard Unit Cost for Higher Education Operational Expenses, which has burdened students through increases in Single Tuition Fees (UKT) and the imposition of various additional fees considered unreasonable, CELIOS has submitted an amicus curiae to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia. This amicus curiae was prepared to provide an additional perspective based on in-depth analysis of the impact
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Pro-environment gimmicks: a survey of regulatory gaps in natural resource, land, and energy management
Jakarta, June 4, 2024—CELIOS has released a study titled “Pro-Environment Gimmick: A Survey of Regulatory Gaps in Natural Resource, Agrarian, and Energy Management.” The study highlights significant gaps between regulations and practices on the ground. Muhammad Dzar Azhari Muthahhar, a CELIOS researcher, emphasized, “58% of respondents stated that mining governance in Indonesia still does not take environmental impacts into account. This is contrary to the obligations of mining business license holders.” In the energy sector,
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Review of the New and Renewable Energy Bill: Energy Democracy, the Dilemma of Fair Pricing, and Incentives for Renewable Energy Producers
The ongoing discussion of the New and Renewable Energy (EBT) Bill requires public input. CELIOS, as a research institution, analyzed provisions in the bill that are considered not to fully support energy democracy. The policy brief finds that large-scale businesses remain the primary consideration in setting EBT prices, the public’s right to inexpensive, accessible, and sustainable EBT is not concretely guaranteed, and incentive policies remain suboptimal bec
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The losses from coal downstreaming under the Omnibus Law on Job Creation
Jakarta, February 1, 2023—The Perpu on the Job Creation Law has raised concerns about its negative impacts on the economy, energy security, and the environment, particularly Article 128A, which sets royalties on coal downstreaming at 0%. CELIOS Executive Director Bhima Yudhistira stressed, “Assuming total coal production of 666.6 million tons per year, potential royalty losses are estimated at Rp33.8 trillion annually. If the policy remains in effect for the next 20 years, it is estimated that
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Press Release: The Contradictory Omnibus Law on Job Creation
The government issued Government Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perpu) No. 2 of 2022 on Job Creation on December 30, 2022. CELIOS reviewed and analyzed the Perpu from economic and legal perspectives. CELIOS recommends that the House of Representatives (DPR) open up opportunities for public participation in discussions of the Job Creation Perpu before it is enacted into law, and encourages civil society to oversee the process. In addition, CELIOS emphasizes the importance of the government explaining...
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Critical points in the Renewable Energy Bill: quo vadis energy transition and Indonesia's renewable energy roadmap?
This policy brief focuses on energy transition policies and the New and Renewable Energy (EBT) roadmap under Articles 6 and 7 of the EBT Bill. It aims to examine policy issues, assess the state of the national electricity sector, and propose improvements to EBT policies and the roadmap. The study found that the energy transition and EBT roadmap do not yet promote energy democracy, are not integrated with national development planning, and are not aligned with RUEN and RUE.
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Recommendations for regulating the PPSK Bill to facilitate the development of the carbon market and crypto asset industry
CELIOS released the report “Recommendations for Regulating the PPSK Bill to Facilitate the Development of the Carbon Market and Crypto Asset Industry” amid discussions on the Draft Law on Financial Sector Development and Strengthening (RUU PPSK). This omnibus law aims to integrate around 16 laws to create a national financial ecosystem that is adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable. However, certain provisions contradict the goals of efficiency and cross-sector collaboration, particularly regarding
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A study on cryptocurrency asset trading: a review of Bappebti Regulation No. 8/2021
Investment in crypto assets in Indonesia has grown rapidly. In 2020, the number of crypto market investors reached 4 million, more than doubled to 11.2 million in 2021, and exceeded 15.57 million by the end of July 2022. This figure is far higher than the 9.3 million investors in Indonesia’s capital market as of July 2022, indicating strong interest in crypto transactions, particularly among retail investors. Currently, attention is focused on plans to establish
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Does Presidential Regulation No. 112/2022 support the transition away from coal-fired power plants?
CELIOS released a press statement titled “Does Presidential Regulation 112/2022 Support the Transition Away from Coal-Fired Power Plants?” on October 4, 2022. The document analyzes Presidential Regulation No. 112 of 2022 on the Acceleration of Renewable Energy Development for Electricity Supply. Although its aim is to accelerate renewable energy (EBT), CELIOS found several provisions that contradict the 2060 Net Zero Emission target, particularly Article 3 point 4, which allows coal-fired power plants to continue operating in industrial zones until 2050.
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