Undangundang

Undang-undang is the Malay and Indonesian term for a law enacted by a legislative body. It refers to formal statutes that govern a country or region, as distinct from executive regulations or customary rules. In Indonesia and Malaysia, undang-undang covers acts passed by parliament or its equivalent and serve as a primary source of legal authority.

Typically, undang-undang are proposed as bills, debated and approved by the legislature, and then promulgated or signed into force by the head of state or government. They are usually published in an official gazette and take effect on a specified date or upon promulgation. An undang-undang remains in force until it is repealed or amended by subsequent legislation.

In legal hierarchy, the constitution is the supreme framework, and undang-undang must comply with its provisions. Subordinate regulations, such as government regulations, ministerial regulations, or local ordinances, exist to implement or detail the application of undang-undang.

Undang-undang cover a wide range of areas, including civil, criminal, commercial, and administrative law. They define rights, duties, procedures, and sanctions, and can be general or sector-specific. They are codified and intended to be accessible to the public, providing predictable standards for governance, dispute resolution, and enforcement.

The term is widely used in legal discourse and education in both Indonesia and Malaysia, reflecting the central role of statutory law in shaping legal regimes and everyday governance.