Mahfud MD warns of decline in Indonesia's rule of law and democracy

Former Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, has highlighted a decline in the quality of law enforcement and democracy in Indonesia. While acknowledging that President Prabowo Subianto has taken bold steps previously unattempted by past presidents—including the arrest of major corruptors—Mahfud noted significant issues in governance and policy oversight.

Mahfud distinguished between Prabowo’s role as head of state and head of government, suggesting that while his vision as head of state is strong, his oversight as head of government lacks necessary detail. He cited international data as quantitative evidence of this decline, specifically pointing to the World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index. According to Mahfud, Indonesia’s score dropped from 0.52 to 0.51 in 2026, with its global ranking falling from 69th to 75th out of 140 countries. He noted that seven out of the eight indicators used in the index showed a regression.