Political Parties and Trading in Influence: A Comparative Study from a Civil Law Perspective in Indonesia and Sri Lanka

Hilmy Faidulloh Ali(1email), Prija Djatmika(2), Yuliati Yuliati(3), Milda Istiqomah(4), Dinesha Samararatne(5)


(1) Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
(2) Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
(3) Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
(4) Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia orcid
(5) Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka orcid
email Corresponding Author
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Abstract


Introduction: The phenomenon of trading in influence is a form of political corruption that is difficult to identify because it operates within the realm of power relations that do not always take the form of direct bribery. Political parties in the context of modern democracies often act as mediators between public and economic interests, making them potentially key actors in the practice of trading in influence.


Purposes of the Research: This study aims to analyze the involvement of political parties in the practice of trading in influence and compare the effectiveness of regulations and law enforcement in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Furthermore, this study examines the extent to which the civil legal systems in both countries are able to close legal loopholes that allow for covert political corruption.


Methods of the Research: This research uses a normative legal method with a comparative approach, examining legislation, jurisprudence, and international documents related to political corruption. Secondary data was obtained through a study of academic literature, reports from anti-corruption agencies, and a comparative analysis of the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in both jurisdictions, namely Indonesia and Sri Lanka.


Results / Main Findings / Novelty/Originality of the Research: The results show that Indonesia and Sri Lanka face similar challenges in enforcing laws against influence peddling due to weak regulations explicitly addressing the practice. However, Indonesia has shown progress in adopting the principles of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), while Sri Lanka remains limited to an administrative approach without strong criminal sanctions.


See also

Related articles in this issue:


Keywords


Keywords: Trading in influence, political parties, civil law, Indonesia, Sri Lanka


DOI


10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3678

Published


2026-03-31



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Dublin Core PKP Metadata Items Metadata for this Document
 
1. Title Title of document Political Parties and Trading in Influence: A Comparative Study from a Civil Law Perspective in Indonesia and Sri Lanka
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Hilmy Faidulloh Ali; Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang; Indonesia
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Prija Djatmika; Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang; Indonesia
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Yuliati Yuliati; Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang; Indonesia
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Milda Istiqomah; Faculty of Law, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang; Indonesia orcid
 
2. Creator Author's name, affiliation, country Dinesha Samararatne; Faculty of Law, University of Colombo, Colombo; Sri Lanka orcid
 
3. Subject Discipline(s)
 
3. Subject Keyword(s) Keywords: Trading in influence, political parties, civil law, Indonesia, Sri Lanka
 
4. Description Abstract Introduction: The phenomenon of trading in influence is a form of political corruption that is difficult to identify because it operates within the realm of power relations that do not always take the form of direct bribery. Political parties in the context of modern democracies often act as mediators between public and economic interests, making them potentially key actors in the practice of trading in influence.Purposes of the Research: This study aims to analyze the involvement of political parties in the practice of trading in influence and compare the effectiveness of regulations and law enforcement in Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Furthermore, this study examines the extent to which the civil legal systems in both countries are able to close legal loopholes that allow for covert political corruption.Methods of the Research: This research uses a normative legal method with a comparative approach, examining legislation, jurisprudence, and international documents related to political corruption. Secondary data was obtained through a study of academic literature, reports from anti-corruption agencies, and a comparative analysis of the implementation of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in both jurisdictions, namely Indonesia and Sri Lanka.Results / Main Findings / Novelty/Originality of the Research: The results show that Indonesia and Sri Lanka face similar challenges in enforcing laws against influence peddling due to weak regulations explicitly addressing the practice. However, Indonesia has shown progress in adopting the principles of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), while Sri Lanka remains limited to an administrative approach without strong criminal sanctions.
 
5. Publisher Organizing agency, location Faculty of Law, Universitas Pattimura
 
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7. Date (YYYY-MM-DD) 2026-03-31
 
8. Type Status & genre Peer-reviewed Article
 
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9. Format File format PDF
 
10. Identifier Uniform Resource Identifier https://fhukum.unpatti.ac.id/jurnal/ballrev/article/view/3678
 
10. Identifier Digital Object Identifier 10.47268/ballrev.v7i1.3678
 
11. Source Title; vol., no. (year) Batulis Civil Law Review; Vol 7, No 1 (2026): VOLUME 7 ISSUE 1, MARCH 2026
 
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Copyright (c) 2026 Hilmy Faidulloh Ali, Prija Djatmika, Yuliati Yuliati, Milda Istiqomah, Dinesha Samararatne

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