The Function of Law in Realizing Order, Compliance, and Justice in a State Based on the Rule of Law

Abstract

Indonesia is a state governed by the rule of law, establishing law as the foundation for state governance and as an instrument to ensure order, legal certainty, protection, and justice for the public. However, the understanding of law often remains focused on the imposition of sanctions for violations, meaning the law’s function as a means of regulation and prevention is not yet fully comprehended in a comprehensive manner. This study aims to analyze the status of the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law, as well as to examine the law’s function in fostering order, compliance, and public protection. The research employs a normative-juridical method utilizing statutory and conceptual approaches. Primary legal sources include the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia and Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Traffic and Road Transportation, while secondary sources comprise relevant legal journals and literature. The findings indicate that the principle of equality before the law necessitates the application of the law in a fair, proportional, and non-discriminatory manner. Beyond the imposition of sanctions, the law serves as a preventive instrument to foster compliance and maintain social order. In conclusion, the effectiveness of the law is determined not only by the enforcement of sanctions but also by its capacity to cultivate legal awareness and ensure protection, order, and justice.