Comparative Analysis of Environmental Law Enforcement in Southeast Asia

Abstract

This study aims to analyze and compare the effectiveness of environmental law enforcement in Southeast Asia by examining institutional practices, regulatory strategies, and governance conditions across selected jurisdictions. Employing a qualitative approach, the research adopts a comparative case study design, which is chosen for its capacity to capture contextual differences while enabling systematic cross-country analysis. The study is conducted in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, representing diverse legal systems and levels of governance development. Data are collected through semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and comparative legal review involving twelve key informants, including government officials, legal practitioners, academics, and civil society representatives. The selection of informants is based on purposive sampling to ensure relevance, expertise, and depth of insight. The findings reveal significant disparities between formal environmental regulations and their enforcement, influenced by institutional capacity, governance quality, and socio-political priorities. Malaysia demonstrates relatively stronger enforcement consistency, while Indonesia and Vietnam face challenges related to decentralization and economic prioritization. The study recommends strengthening institutional coordination, enhancing transparency, and promoting participatory governance to improve enforcement effectiveness. These findings contribute to the development of a comparative framework for environmental law enforcement and provide policy-relevant insights for advancing sustainable governance in the region.