Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra: Direct Elections Bring More Harm than Good

In a recent interview, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Political, and Immigration Affairs Yusril Ihza Mahendra expressed his opinion that direct regional elections in Indonesia entail more negative consequences than positive ones. He noted that both direct elections and elections through the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) are constitutional and align with Article 18 of the 1945 Indonesian Constitution. Yusril emphasized that the core idea of democracy is to ensure popular sovereignty and that the best mechanisms for this should be carefully considered.

Yusril Ihza Mahendra also suggested that democratic processes should take into account the philosophy of popular sovereignty, as outlined in the preamble of the 1945 Constitution. ‘Governance through the wisdom of deliberative democracy is a cornerstone of our state system,’ the minister stated. He believes that elections through the DPRD adhere to this principle, providing a more profound and meaningful decision-making process compared to direct elections.

The minister’s opinion sparked lively discussions both in political circles and in society at large, as the election issue is a crucial part of the country’s democratic processes. Whether the minister’s proposal is a step backward or a means to improve the existing system is a matter on the agenda.