<![CDATA[The separation of powers in a democratic state governed by the rule of law places the legislature in an important position to ensure accountability and limit executive power. Although the constitutional amendments of 1999-2002 aimed to strengthen the legislative role of the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat or DPR), the law-making process in Indonesia still reflects substantial executive influence over the formulation of legal norms. This study aims to analyze the structural causes of this phenomenon and evaluate its implications for the principle of the democratic rule of law. Using normative legal research methods, this study applies statutory, conceptual, and case approaches. It examines the phenomenon through a combined framework that integrates the formal concept of rechtsstaat (the rule of law) with democratic legitimacy through meaningful participation. The study finds that executive dominance is supported by Indonesia’s multiparty presidential system, oversized governing coalitions, and broad delegation of authority. These factors reduce the legislative role to a procedural formality and weaken both the limitation of power and meaningful participation, as confirmed by the Constitutional Court’s decision declaring the Job Creation Law conditionally unconstitutional. This study concludes that restructuring executive-legislative relations within a constitutional framework is essential to prevent formal legality from becoming a tool that undermines democracy.]]>
