JAKARTA, LiterasiHukum.com– The Constitutional Court (MK) rejected the entire request for judicial review of Law Number 47 of 1999 which regulates the formation of several regencies and the City of Bontang. This rejection was stipulated in the Decision Verdict Number 10/PUU-XXII/2024 which was read out on Wednesday (17/9/2025) in the MK Plenary Session Room.

Recommendations for Comprehensive Review by Legislators

Although the application was rejected, the Constitutional Court in its legal considerations provided an important impetus. The Court stated that if there are differences between the norms of Law 47/1999 and historical facts, initial expansion plans, as well as attachment maps and derivative regulations regarding the coordinate points of regional boundaries, thenlegislators can review the substance of Law 47/1999. Constitutional Justice Enny Nurbaningsih explained, "To resolve regional structuring issues that the Applicant considers problematic, the legislators need to immediately conduct a comprehensive review regarding the regulations related to the regional boundaries that are disputed in the applicationa quo."

Limitations of the Constitutional Court's Authority

The Constitutional Court emphasized that the determination and affirmation ofthe boundaries of Bontang City, which involves determining coordinate points and compiling maps, is the domain and expertise of legislators. This process requires special abilities in the fields of cartography, geodesy, geography, and other related sciences. The Court, as a judicial institution that tests the constitutionality of laws, has limitations in technical competence to examine, assess, or determine the details of maps and coordinate points precisely, which are necessary to provide legal certainty in accordance with Article 28D paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution. The Court also stated that the Central Government and its staff are institutions that have the resources and competence to carry out the task of determining or changing regional boundaries. Therefore, the Constitutional Court limits itself from changing or determiningregional boundariesin Law 47/1999 and Regulation of the Minister of Home Affairs (Permendagri) Number 25 of 2005.