The Center for Anticorruption Studies (PUKAT) at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University (FH UGM), held a public discussion titled DIKSI (Discussion on Corruption) on Wednesday (September 10, 2025). Under the theme \u201cAssessing the Commitment to the Legal Reform and Anti-Corruption Agenda of the Prabowo Administration,\u201d the event featured Erwin Natosmal Oemar, a legal practitioner and researcher at Centra Initiative, as the keynote speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This discussion served as a forum to reflect on the state of the legal system in Indonesia, which is considered to be at a critical juncture. The legal reform agenda, which has been championed since the Reformation era, is seen as facing serious challenges, particularly due to the persistence of case-trading practices, the use of the law as a political tool, and repressive actions by law enforcement officials. According to Erwin, the current situation is not merely stagnant but has shifted into a tangible regression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s difficult to talk about the anti-corruption movement amid the current situation. This is no longer a crossroads, but a decline,\u201d Erwin emphasized. He added that several indices indicate a negative trend in legal reform efforts, signaling that the aspiration to realize a fair and accountable legal system is moving backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his presentation, Erwin also emphasized the importance of protecting civil rights in support of the anti-corruption agenda. According to him, the fight against corruption cannot succeed if civil society\u2019s freedom to monitor and speak out is suppressed. He advocated for a technocratic approach to legal advocacy, stressing the importance of concrete, evidence-based solutions to improve legal norms, address human rights issues, and ensure access to justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discussion concluded with the assertion that efforts to build a legal system that guarantees certainty, justice, and public benefit require a major paradigm shift. It is not enough to focus solely on institutional aspects; it also involves the commitment, attitudes, and behavior of government officials. Without these, the legal reform agenda risks becoming nothing more than empty rhetoric.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This DIKSI public discussion is also aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The themes of combating corruption and legal reform are directly linked to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, as they emphasize the importance of transparent, accountable, and responsive governance that serves the public interest. Furthermore, this forum contributes to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by bringing together academics, legal practitioners, and civil society to collaboratively seek technocratic solutions to strengthen the legal reform agenda. Thus, DIKSI serves not only as a space for academic reflection but also as a tangible contribution to supporting fair and sustainable legal development in Indonesia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n