<![CDATA[Background: The existence of sasi in Maluku demonstrates that customary law plays an important role in regulating the utilization and protection of natural resources. However, the sustainability of these functions faces challenges concerning legal status, the boundaries of authority, and institutional relations with state law. Objective: This study aims to analyze the legal status and legitimacy of sasi, the sustainability of its regulatory and conservation functions, and the harmonization of customary law and state law without undermining the institutional characteristics of customary law communities. Methods: This study employs a normative juridical approach using statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. Legal materials were analyzed through content analysis and critical juridical interpretation from the perspectives of living law, legal pluralism, and responsive law. The literature search identified 60 records; after removing 6 duplicates, screening 8 irrelevant records, and excluding 4 sources after full-text assessment, 42 scholarly publications remained for analysis, alongside relevant primary legal materials. Results: Sasi possesses social legitimacy as living law, but has not yet received full formal recognition or adequate operational authority. Its regulatory and conservation functions are based on access restrictions, the regulation of closed and open seasons, customary monitoring, and community compliance. The principal gaps between sasi and state law concern the clarity of authority, institutional status, and interinstitutional coordination. Conclusion: The sustainability of sasi requires operational legal recognition, clearly defined spheres of authority, and institutional coordination through a coordinated legal pluralism model.]]>
