Anastasya Lavenia Y, Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – A researcher from the Economic and Social Research, Education, and Information Institute (LP3ES), Herlambang Wiratraman, said the possibility of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) joining the Prabowo-run government will worsen the condition of democracy in Indonesia.

According to Herlambanf, the absence of opposition in a government leads to abusive politics and legal policies.

Herlambang said Indonesia's democracy has been weakening since President Joko Widodo or Jokowi's second term. "We have now witnessed how the politics showcased by this party (PDIP) has never prevented the government from acting arbitrarily," he told Tempo on Sunday, September 22, 2024.

For example, he went on, the rushed ratification of the State Ministry Bill, Presidential Advisory Council Bill, and the Immigration Bill without public participation on Thursday, September 19. "Citizens hope for a balancing force in the government since it is a crucial part of a healthy democracy," he said.

One of the consequences of the absence of opposition in the government, Herlambang said, is the abusive politics and legal policies as law enforcement serves the interests of elites.

"And the most concerning is the systematic lack of protection and accountability for human rights violations," he said.

Herlambang also stresses the importance of civil society, press freedom, and intellectual groups' political awareness in monitoring the future government.

Previously, PDIP's Head of Central Board, Puan Maharani, confirmed a meeting between party leader Megawati Soekarnoputri and President-elect Prabowo Subainto. Puan said there's a chance for her party to join Prabowo's government. "Nothing is impossible," she said on Saturday, after.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1919571/pdip-joining-prabowos-govt-will-worsen-democracy-researcher-say