Legal Changes during Joko Widodo’s Administration – Backsliding of Democracy?

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of the legislative landscape and its background under the Joko Widodo administration (2014–2024). The transition of presidential power from Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Joko Widodo marked the consolidation of democracy in post-authoritarian Indonesia, continuing from the pivotal reforms of 1998. The period of Widodo’s administration from 2014 to 2024 illustrates how free elections and freedom of expression, combined with advancements in IT technology, have inadvertently highlighted societal divisions, including discrimination against minorities. Beyond political evolution, the period has also witnessed emerging economic disparities within Indonesian society, as well as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic during the latter half of the period. This paper focuses on major legislative initiatives during the Joko Widodo administration. It systematically examines the background, contents and pivotal discussions of these significant pieces of legislation, providing a comprehensive analysis of the legislative developments during this crucial decade in Indonesia. It goes on to argue that the legislative policies of the Widodo administration reflect a situation where the transition from authoritarianism to democratisation falls short of fully embodying constitutionalism, characterised by limits on executive power and respect for human rights.