A Comparison of Unlawful Act Regulations In Indonesia and The Philippines Regarding Lake Ecosystem Damage Caused By Invasive Fish Release Programs
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Abstract
Fish release programs conducted without prior ecological studies frequently lead to the introduction of invasive species that degrade lake ecosystems and destroy the livelihoods of traditional fishers, as exemplified by cases in Lake Toba (Indonesia) and Laguna de Bay (Philippines). This study aims to compare the elements of Unlawful Acts (Perbuatan Melawan Hukum / Tort) and the legal liability frameworks for ecological damage under the civil and environmental law systems of both countries. Utilizing a normative juridical research method with statutory and comparative approaches, the findings indicate that Indonesia relies on Article 1365 of the Indonesian Civil Code (KUHPerdata), which depends on a broad interpretation of societal standards of propriety. In contrast, the Philippines employs the concept of Quasi-Delict (Article 2176 of the Civil Code) using a more objective and pragmatic "ordinary reasonable person" standard. Regarding liability for environmental damage caused by local government institutions, Indonesia's judicial system restricts victims by requiring claims to be diverted to the State Administrative Court (PTUN), which is constrained by an unreasonably low maximum administrative compensation cap. Conversely, the Philippines overcomes civil bureaucratic hurdles through the Writ of Kalikasan, an extraordinary legal remedy that allows courts to issue immediate restoration orders without being hampered by complex individual compensation calculations. In conclusion, the procedural law in the Philippines is far more progressive and effective in addressing ecological disasters compared to Indonesia. Therefore, it is recommended that Indonesian judges adopt more objective standards for assessing negligence, and that the state urgently introduce a specialized legal instrument comparable to the Writ of Kalikasan to ensure direct execution of environmental restoration.
Keywords:
Unlawful Act, Tort, Invasive Species, Ecosystem Damage, Environmental Law, Writ of Kalikasan and Comparative Study.References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Muhamad Naqib, Pina Mustika, William Gomarga
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