Jakarta/Tribuneindonesia.com
The Republic of Indonesia is widely regarded as facing a profound and multi-layered crisis of state governance. Signs of systemic failure are increasingly evident in the state’s inability to deliver equitable public welfare, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard environmental sustainability. As a result, the heaviest burden is borne by ordinary citizens, while political power and capital interests continue to consolidate their influence.
The Chairman of Relawan Peduli Rakyat Lintas Batas (Volunteers Caring for the People Across Borders), Arizal Mahdi, asserts that the current situation reflects not merely ineffective policies, but a deeper structural malfunction within the organisation of the state itself.
“What we are witnessing is a systemic crisis. When constitutional mandates no longer translate into lived reality, comprehensive state restructuring becomes a rational and urgent necessity,” he stated.
Welfare That Never Truly Reaches the People
Amid persistent claims of economic growth and macroeconomic stability, Indonesia’s social reality reveals a stark contradiction. According to the World Bank’s poverty-line methodology, nearly half of Indonesia’s population remains poor or economically vulnerable. This indicates that development outcomes have not been distributed fairly and have failed to address the foundational needs of the majority.
“Economic growth that is detached from social justice is, in essence, an illusion. The state has yet to fully fulfil its role as a guarantor of public welfare,” Arizal explained.
A Weakening Rule of Law
In the sphere of law enforcement, the principle of equality before the law is increasingly perceived as eroding. Legal processes often appear firm when directed at ordinary citizens, yet markedly restrained when confronting entrenched political and economic power.
“When the independence of the rule of law is compromised, public trust in the state inevitably deteriorates,” Arizal noted, emphasising that justice is not merely procedural, but the very foundation of legitimacy in a constitutional state.
Deforestation and the Failure of Environmental Protection
Indonesia’s forests continue to suffer extensive and sustained degradation. Practices such as illegal logging and uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources persist across multiple regions and are widely viewed as inadequately addressed. In some instances, allegations have emerged regarding protection by rogue elements within law enforcement institutions, further weakening accountability.
This reality stands in direct contrast to Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution, which mandates that natural resources be controlled by the state and utilised for the greatest prosperity of the people.
“When this constitutional mandate is not enforced consistently, environmental destruction becomes an almost unavoidable consequence,” Arizal warned.
Floods and Landslides: The Human Cost in Sumatra
The degradation of the environment has increasingly manifested as humanitarian disasters. Floods and landslides have devastated communities in Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, stripping thousands of citizens of their homes, livelihoods, and sense of security. These events underscore a governance approach that remains largely reactive rather than preventive.
“Disasters are rarely purely natural phenomena. More often, they are the cumulative result of policy neglect and weak oversight,” Arizal stated.
Illegal Mining and Structural Neglect
Beyond deforestation, illegal mining activities continue to operate with significant environmental and social consequences. River pollution, ecological damage, and social conflict have become enduring costs borne by local communities, while enforcement efforts are widely perceived as inconsistent and insufficient.
“When illegal practices persist over long periods, it reflects a form of structural neglect that must be fundamentally addressed,” Arizal remarked.
State Restructuring as an Inevitable Imperative
Relawan Peduli Rakyat Lintas Batas (Volunteers Caring for the People Across Borders) contends that these interconnected crises cannot be resolved through fragmented or symbolic policies. What is required is a fundamental restructuring of the state, encompassing comprehensive legal reform, sustainable natural resource governance, and a development paradigm firmly anchored in social justice.
“State restructuring is not an emotional appeal, but a rational necessity to ensure that Indonesia remains a state governed by law, justice, and public welfare, as envisioned by the nation’s founders,” Arizal Mahdi concluded.
