LEGAL DUALISM AND JUDICIAL REASONING IN SEXUAL EXPLOITATION CASES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INDONESIAN AND MALAYSIAN LAW

Herman; Oheo Kaimuddin Haris; Fareed Mohd Hassan; Noor Dzuhaidah  Osman; Firgha Amaliyah  Ghazali; Sitti Aishah Abdullah

doi:10.33102/mjsl.vol14no2.1330

Authors

Herman Faculty of Law, University of Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Oheo Kaimuddin Haris Faculty of Law, University of Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1964-7555
Fareed Mohd Hassan Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7501-0782
Noor Dzuhaidah Osman Faculty of Syariah and Law, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia
Firgha Amaliyah Ghazali The Indonesian National Police (INP), Regional Police of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia
Sitti Aishah Abdullah Faculty of Law, University of Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/mjsl.vol14no2.1330

Keywords:

Legal Dualism, Judicial Inconsistency, Sexual Exploitation, Victim Protection

Abstract

Sexual exploitation remains a significant human rights and criminal justice issue that demands coherent regulation and consistent judicial application. This article examines how Indonesia and Malaysia regulate sexual exploitation and how selected court decisions reflect the implementation of those legal frameworks. Employing normative legal research with statutory, conceptual, case, and comparative approaches, the study analyzes relevant legislation and judicial decisions in both jurisdictions. The findings reveal that both countries adopt multi-layered legal frameworks, yet their structures present different challenges. In Indonesia, overlapping provisions concerning trafficking, sexual violence, and morality offenses create uncertainty in charge selection and judicial classification. In Malaysia, the legal framework distinguishes between prostitution-related offenses, trafficking, and child sexual offenses; however, effective enforcement hinges on proving exploitation, control, profit, and victim vulnerability. The comparative analysis indicates that judicial reasoning significantly influences whether conduct is classified as facilitation of prostitution, trafficking, or sexual exploitation. The article argues for clearer statutory coordination, more precise prosecutorial charging, and more consistent judicial reasoning to enhance legal certainty and victim protection in both jurisdictions.

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