Right of self-determination is a fundamental right for every nation in the
world. During 24 years Timorese people fight for freedom to be an independent state.
In 1998 there was political change in Indonesia, Soeharto’s regime fell down and B.J
Habibie was chosen to be the next president. In B.J Habibie period, East Timor
problem was solved by democratic way which was accepted generally. The legal
issue which is chosen in this thesis is what the effect of East Timor self-determination
for Indonesia is in the context of Indonesia sovereignty which is against international
law. Normative law is going to be used in this thesis, which is focus on norm of
positive law, it means Unated Nations General Assembly Resolution 1514, being
independent from a colony and resolution 1541, self-determination in 1960.
The result of legal research shows that East Timor’s right to selfdetermination
does not reduce Indonesia sovereignty. Historically, East Timor is not
part of Indonesia territory. The territories which are part of Indonesia is under dutch
indiens colonization. On the other side, The right of Timorese people to selfdetermination
do not againist international law