Yusril Puzzled Corruption Worsens Despite His Role in Forming KPK and Anti-Corruption Courts

Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, has voiced profound concern over the state of corruption eradication in Indonesia. As a figure directly involved in the creation of various anti-corruption regulations and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Yusril admitted he is puzzled as to why corrupt practices are becoming increasingly rampant in the country.

In a statement in Jakarta on Monday (20/7/2026), Yusril reflected on his long track record of service in government. He noted that he has drafted hundreds of laws and helped establish various special courts, yet the results on the ground remain far from expectations.

"I have made hundreds of laws. I helped create various institutions, expanded investigative authority, formed the KPK, and established the anti-corruption court. But why, to this day, can we not eradicate corruption? It is actually getting worse," Yusril said.

Yusril explained that from a regulatory and institutional standpoint, Indonesia actually possesses more than enough capital to fight corruption. This includes the threat of severe sanctions and the existence of three law enforcement institutions with extensive powers. However, the presence of these instruments has proven not to automatically reduce the level of corruption.

"Has corruption decreased? No, it has actually become more rampant. I think the problem is not the absence of legal norms, nor the absence of law enforcement agencies," he stressed.

Furthermore, the constitutional law expert assessed that the root cause of the stalled corruption eradication efforts is the collapse of fundamental aspects of national life, namely morality and ethics. He emphasised that written law will never function optimally if state officials and society lose their moral compass.

"What is missing is ethical awareness, moral awareness in our nation. And that moral awareness cannot be built with a constitution, with laws," Yusril concluded.