The Doctoral Program in Legal Studies at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University, has once again successfully produced a doctoral graduate in legal studies. Kardiansyah Afkar, a student in the doctoral program in legal studies, successfully earned his doctoral degree during a public defense held at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University, on Friday (October 17, 2025), with a dissertation titled “Presidential Power During the Inter-Election Transition Period in Indonesia.”
This dissertation highlights the actions taken by the (incumbent) president to secure his position after stepping down from the presidency. These actions may include the abuse of authority in the form of activities and programs, as well as the abuse of power for personal gain or the benefit of his group. Controversy regarding presidential power during this transitional period has persisted since the reform era. This has subsequently sparked discussions regarding the temporary suspension or resignation of the president, campaign leave, and restrictions on power during the transition.
The dissertation concluded that there is a legal vacuum in the exercise of presidential power during the transitional period between elections in post-Reform Indonesia. It is this legal vacuum that creates an opening for the (incumbent) president to abuse his power. This abuse of power not only undermines the principles of constitutional supremacy and electoral justice but also erodes public trust in democracy. The enactment of a presidential transition law and/or a law on presidential institutions is necessary to fill this legal vacuum.
The doctoral defense was attended by Prof. Adrianto Dwi Nugroho, S.H., Adv.LL. M., LL.D., as chair of the examining committee, with committee members consisting of Prof. Dr. Enny Nurbaningsih, S.H., M.Hum., Richo Andi Wibowo, S.H., LL.M., Ph.D., Prof. Dr. Ni’matul Huda, S.H., M.Hum. (Faculty of Law, UII), Dr. rer. Pol. Mada Sukmajati, M.PP. (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UGM), as well as Dr. Zainal Arifin Mochtar, S.H., LL.M., and Andy Omara, S.H., M.Pub&Int.Law., Ph.D., serving as the dissertation committee.
Kardiansyah Afkar was officially recognized as the 276th doctoral graduate of the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University, and the 6,685th doctoral graduate of Gadjah Mada University.
Kardiansyah Afkar’s achievement reflects the Faculty of Law at UGM’s commitment to supporting the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on Quality Education and Goal 16 on Strong and Just Institutions. Kardiansyah Afkar’s dissertation not only enriches scholarship in the fields of constitutionalism and constitutional law but also provides insight into the dynamics of the executive branch during the post-election transition period. This dissertation offers an evidence-based critical perspective that could have positive implications for the integrity of democracy in Indonesia.
Author : Alexandra Lisa Wijaya (Part Timer PDIH)
