Law and Human Rights Minister’s Position under Public Spotlight

KOMPAS/ANITA YOSSIHARA

President Joko Widodo (11th left, back row) and Vice President Jusuf Kalla (12th left, back row) pose with the members of the Working Cabinet during the final plenary meeting on Thursday (3/10/2019) at the State Palace, Central Jakarta.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Many are hoping that President Joko Widodo and vice president-elect Ma’ruf Amin would choose a professional figure to be the law and human rights minister in their Cabinet. The figure is expected to have deep understanding of the politics of legislation and be loyal solely to the President.

This is because a public spotlight will be on the position, which will have a crucial role in determining the future deliberations of several bills by the government and the House of Representatives.

Previously, in the wake of student protests and public outcry, the approval of several bills were delayed and further deliberations will be carried out by the 2019 to 2024 cohort of lawmakers. This includes the Criminal Code (KUHP) bill, a mineral mining bill, a land bill, a correctional procedures bill and a sexual violence bill.

Amendments to Law No. 30/2002 on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) continue to face public rejection. This has led the President to consider issuing a government regulation in lieu of law (Perppu).

KOMPAS/WAWAN H. PRABOWO

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko (left) and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani (second left) look at documents as National Development Planning Minister/National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) head Bambang Brodjonegoro (second right) and Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Thomas Lembong converse during a Cabinet plenary meeting on Thursday (3/10/2019) at the State Palace, Central Jakarta. The meeting evaluated the 2014-2019 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) and prepared to implement the 2020 State Budget. President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo also thanked the Cabinet for their support during the meeting, the last of the Working Cabinet before Jokowi is inaugurated for his second term in office.

Walking alone

A Jentera Law School constitutional law lecturer, Bivitri Susanti, said in Jakarta over the weekend that the emergence of public protests and the rejection of the bills and laws showed that the legal products did not represent public aspirations. To prevent this from reoccurring, a professional instead of a politician must serve as the law minister.

“Currently, the people see that the President’s stance and policies on legislation politics are not reflected well in laws. Most prominent examples include the KPK Law and the KUHP bill, which showed that the minister seemed to be ‘walking alone’,” Bivitri said.

She continued that a minister with professional background would have stronger grip on legislation politics and be loyal solely to the President. Members of political parties would forward the interests of and be partly loyal to political party chairs. Strong understanding of legislation politics is important because of the huge scope of duty of the law and human rights minister, from managing an integrated criminal justice system to human rights affairs.

Institute for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) executive director Anggara shared a similar sentiment, saying that it would be better that a professional serves as the minister. However, the person must still be open to input and opinions. “The law and human rights minister must have a vision regarding our laws,” he said.

KOMPAS/WISNU WIDIANTORO

Joko widodo (sixth left) and Maaruf Amin (fifth right) pose with the leaders of the nine political parties backing their campaign after the pair registered on 10 Aug. 2018 as candidates of the 2019 presidential election at the General Elections Commission in Jakarta.

Gadjah Mada University (UGM) public policy professor Erwan Agus Purwanto said that President Jokowi should pick ministers who could help him fulfill his campaign promises. “Next year, the focus will be human resource development. In order to achieve that, bureaucratic reform must be improved. As [President Jokowi] has promises to fulfill, he must pick ministers who are professional and competent,” he said.

UGM school of law lecturer Zainal Arifin Mochtar said that law minister candidates should have integrity, untainted track records and capability in state legal affairs.

Previously, Yasonna H. Laoly from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) served as law and human rights minister. On the public rejection of several laws and bills, Yasonna said that it would be impossible for the government and the House to satisfy everyone in making laws.

(REK/NTA)