Mahfud MD dan Kekecewaannya Terhadap Hukum | Endgame #214 (Luminaries)

TL;DR

Mahfud MD is disappointed because law repeatedly loses to politics, since those holding political power create the law. In Endgame #214 (Luminaries), he connects weak legal integrity with corruption, vote buying, education, leadership, and economic development while tracing his path from aspiring religious teacher to professor and minister. Read on for his views on democracy, governance, and the surprising origin of “MD.”

Transcript

MAHFUD MD: We've lost our identity and people of integrity. I'm disappointed — disappointed in the law. Law always loses to politics. Why? Because the law is a product of politics. There’s no such thing as a law that comes into existence by itself. Law is always created by those in political power. Democracy without law becomes wild and anarc... Read More

Key Insights

• Mahfud MD expresses frustration with the current state of law in Indonesia, highlighting how it is often overshadowed by political interests, which undermines its effectiveness and integrity.
• He discusses the historical tension between religious and nationalist groups in Indonesia, emphasizing the importance of reconciling Islamic legal philosophy with the country's constitutional framework.
• Mahfud MD's career journey reflects his initial ambition to be a lecturer, but circumstances led him to various high-profile political roles, illustrating the unpredictability of career paths.
• The conversation touches on the importance of education in improving democracy, with Mahfud MD advocating for better teacher quality and educational policies to raise the nation's IQ and social mobility.
• He critiques the current state of democracy in Indonesia, arguing that without proper education and economic development, democracy can lead to demagoguery and vote-buying.
• The discussion highlights the need for strong law enforcement to ensure economic growth and attract foreign investment, with Mahfud MD calling for greater legal certainty and reduced corruption.
• Mahfud MD underscores the importance of leadership in achieving effective governance and law enforcement, suggesting that strong leadership can accelerate positive change.
• He reflects on the dynamic nature of international relations and the need for Indonesia to enhance its legal expertise in global diplomacy, particularly in territorial and geopolitical matters.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why is Mahfud MD disappointed with the law?

Mahfud MD says law always loses to politics because law is created by those holding political power. He believes this damages legal integrity, contributes to corruption, and weakens accountability.

Q: How does Mahfud MD describe the relationship between democracy and law?

He says democracy without law becomes wild and anarchic, while law that is not built democratically becomes arbitrary. In his view, each must constrain and support the other.

Q: Why does Mahfud MD consider education important for democracy?

Mahfud MD argues that democracy requires an educated population and stronger economic development. Without those prerequisites, he says democratic politics can deteriorate into demagoguery and vote buying.

Q: How does Mahfud MD propose strengthening law enforcement in Indonesia?

He calls for stronger leadership, greater legal certainty, and reduced corruption. He connects consistent law enforcement with economic growth, public trust, and the ability to attract foreign investment.

Q: What does Mahfud MD say effective governance requires?

Mahfud MD emphasizes strong leadership that can enforce laws and accelerate positive change. Such leadership should address corruption and legal inefficiency while creating conditions for economic and social development.

Q: How did Mahfud MD become interested in law?

He moved to Yogyakarta after being offered the opportunity to attend the Islamic Judge Training School as one of his district’s top three students. Learning from judges, prosecutors, and lawyers made him want to study law seriously at UII’s Faculty of Law.

Q: Where did the name Mahfud MD come from?

In 1971, three students named Mahfud were in his class, so their teacher distinguished them using their fathers’ names. Mahfud shortened “Mahfud Mahmudin” to “Mahfud MD,” and the nickname became official after appearing on his diploma.

Q: What career did Mahfud MD originally want?

His ambitions shifted from religious teacher to Islamic judge and then lecturer at a law faculty. Although he later became a professor, minister, and Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, he describes becoming a lecturer as his original enduring dream.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Mahfud MD discusses his disappointment with the current state of law in Indonesia, emphasizing how it is often overruled by political interests, leading to corruption and undermining its effectiveness. He reflects on his career journey, from aspiring to be a lecturer to holding various political positions.

• The conversation covers the historical tension between religious and nationalist groups in Indonesia, highlighting the reconciliation of Islamic legal philosophy with the country's constitutional framework. Mahfud MD also discusses the importance of education in improving democracy and raising the nation's IQ.

• Mahfud MD critiques the state of democracy in Indonesia, arguing for better education and economic development to prevent demagoguery and vote-buying. He emphasizes the need for strong law enforcement and leadership to ensure economic growth and attract foreign investment, while reflecting on international legal relations.