Yusril: Democracy Requires More Than Just Political Procedures

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections Yusril Ihza Mahendra has stressed that democracy cannot be run solely through political procedures but must be supported by the rule of law, ethics, and maturity in managing differences. “We cannot impose our will on others even if we are in the majority; we must formulate things with good words and in a good way. Language reflects the nation, good language reflects a good nation,” he said in a confirmed statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. The affirmation was made during a national address and the inauguration of the Centre for Constitutional and Democracy Studies at PGRI Kanjuruhan University in Malang, East Java, on Tuesday. Yusril stated that law and politics are closely intertwined in the life of the state. According to Yusril, the rule of law and democracy must go hand in hand. Power must be subject to the law, while democracy must be practised with honesty, responsibility, and respect for human values. He also reminded that the development of technology and artificial intelligence must be guided by ethical values, as progress without a moral foundation could lose its humanitarian purpose. Furthermore, Yusril said local wisdom and national culture should serve as a source of values in the development of national law. However, he continued, national law must reflect the nation’s identity within a democratic legal framework. “Our law in the future must be in line with the spirit of our nation, within a democratic context,” he said. To students, Yusril advised that when entering the world of politics or other professions, they should prioritise the public interest and produce policies beneficial for future generations. “The most important thing is that the strategic areas and extraordinary natural wealth we possess have not been fully utilised. We must change the face of our education,” he said.