Letters of Demand in Civil Disputes: Comparative Jurisprudence Between Indonesia and Malaysia

Abstract

A letter of demand (sommatie) is a formal interpellation addressing a party’s non-performance. In Indonesia, a significant juridical paradox exists: while Article 1238 of the Civil Code mandates a formal warrant, Supreme Court Decision No. 117 K/SIP/1956 renders it discretionary, often resulting in premature litigation. Conversely, Malaysian jurisprudence formalizes the Letter of Demand (LOD) as a mandatory pre-action protocol and a material manifestation of bona fides. Utilizing a doctrinal and qualitative methodology, this study evaluates the functional role of these instruments within both jurisdictions. The results indicate that the discretionary nature of the Indonesian sommatie undermines judicial efficiency. To strengthen scholarly contribution, this study proposes a procedural harmonization model advocating for mandatory pre-action protocols in Indonesia. This paradigm shift reinterprets the sommatie as a vital Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) instrument rather than a mere procedural trigger, effectively filtering out unnecessary litigation and upholding the principle of swift, simple, and cost-effective justice.