The Ratification of Omnibus Law: A Sign of Democratic Deconsolidation in Indonesia

Muchamad Zaenal Arifin*    -  Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Universität Passau, Passau, Germany
Wahyu Budi Nugroho  -  Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Udayana, Badung, Indonesia
Ana María Naranjo Cortés    -  Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Universität Passau, Passau, Germany
Pricilia Purnama  -  Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany

(*) Corresponding Author
DOI: 10.21580/jsw.2022.6.1.9666

Indonesia as a post-authoritarian democratic country has made impressive progress in its democratic transition. However, there is a significant contradiction in the democratic process, particularly in policy and law-making. This study aims to discuss democratic deconsolidation contributing to the ratification of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation in Indonesia. Applying the qualitative method by using academic literature, news analysis, and official government documents, the first research finding shows that the accumulation of Joko Widodo's political power has affected the quality of debate and the agreement during the deliberation of the Omnibus Law in the parliament. Secondly, the opaque process limiting public participation has narrowed the space for the democratic mobilization of the citizens. Thirdly, the increasing number of retired armed forces in domestic affairs has resulted in the dual function of military power in securing the country and the economic development agenda. The study shows that the deconsolidation of democracy has contributed to the ratification of the Omnibus Law on Job Creation which was deliberated through a non-transparent mechanism.

Keywords: democratic deconsolidation; Omnibus Law; horizontal accountability; discursive participation; democratic civil-military relations

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