As Indonesia celebrates its 80th Independence Day, the nation continues to face challenges in strengthening democracy, eradicating poverty, enforcing the rule of law, and ensuring justice for society to promote social welfare. These challenges stem not only from domestic issues but also from the dynamics of global politics. Hence, a strong commitment is needed to reinforce democracy and fair law enforcement, particularly by addressing vulnerable groups.
This concern emerged in the Pemikiran Bulaksumur Discussion titled “Politics, Law Enforcement, and the Fulfillment of Justice”, held virtually by the UGM Board of Professors (DGB UGM) on Friday (Aug. 15).
Chair of DGB UGM, Professor Muhammad Baiquni, noted that Indonesia has a long history of attaining independence.
In addition to solidarity and unity, external factors also played a role in Indonesia’s independence, particularly the power vacuum caused by the tragedies in Nagasaki and Hiroshima, Japan.
This fact illustrates that the life of a nation is inseparable from international influence.
According to Professor Baiquni, global geopolitical conditions must be taken into account when formulating sound policy decisions.
“Our independence was the result of careful calculation. Therefore, we need to reflect again on Indonesia’s political conditions and the enforcement of justice,” he remarked.
Lecturer at the Constitutional Law Department, UGM Faculty of Law (FH UGM), Dr. Zainal Arifin Mochtar, highlighted several democratic and legal challenges that Indonesia is facing today.
He noted that Indonesia is currently experiencing symptoms of authoritarianism, or what he referred to as “third-termism.”
These challenges, he emphasized, arise not only domestically but also from global political dynamics.
“A strong commitment is required to strengthen democracy so that every element can run in balance. A system never truly reaches perfection. There will always be dynamics within it that either strengthen or weaken the system itself,” Dr. Mochtar explained.
Professor of Legal Anthropology at Universitas Indonesia, Sulistyowati Irianto, elaborated on the evolving interpretation of the rule of law.
She explained that every nation has its own legal context, and a legal concept accepted in one country may not necessarily be suitable in another.
Furthermore, she emphasized that legal issues form a fundamental basis for other problems, such as poverty.
Based on recent research, as many as 14 million people worldwide experience poverty due to a lack of access to justice.
Professor Irianto added that poverty is a complex issue influenced not only by economic factors.
“The enforcement of justice in a nation can greatly affect the standard of living of its people,” she said.
She further emphasized that the lack of access to justice should be analyzed by identifying which groups are most affected.
Among these are women, who often face obstacles in fulfilling their basic rights.
“Justice is made for whom? It has a specificity. It would be better if programs were designed affirmatively, not ‘justice for all,’ but ‘justice for who’,” Professor Irianto concluded.
Author: Tasya
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Illustration: Freepik