This book is highly recommended for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of elections. It covers a wide range of topics, from electoral systems and the dynamics of political party competition to the technical aspects of election administration. As a journalist, the author provides a detailed examination of various electoral issues, enriched with extensive data and presented through accessible and engaging analysis.
Sri Budi Eko Wardani
Director, Center for Political Studies (PUSKAPOL), Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Indonesia
Harun Husein’s work reveals how the Legislative Election Laws enacted during the Reform Era retained elements of the New Order’s approach to representation, suffered from poor legislative drafting, and could even have served as grounds for boycotting the 2014 Legislative Election. More troubling is the failure—both by lawmakers and election administrators—to uphold the objectives embedded in Legislative Election Laws No. 12 of 2003, No. 10 of 2008, and No. 8 of 2012.
With each amendment to the law, previous mistakes were never properly corrected. Perhaps this reflects a broader cultural tendency to regard the past as something best left behind and considered settled. We seem to have become accustomed to avoiding accountability for past actions. As a result, a troubling norm emerges: laws are made only to be violated. Tragically, compared with the constitutional jurisprudence of courts in the United States, Germany, Switzerland, or Brazil, Indonesia’s Constitutional Court has at times appeared to legitimize the actions of lawmakers rather than correct them.
Pipit Rochijat Kartawidjaja
Author of Election Mathematics, Electoral District Manipulation, Proportionality and Disproportionality in the Allocation of Seats in the DPR and Regional Legislatures, and Seat Allocation: The Degree of Representation of Population and Voters
My impression after reading this book—which combines theory, data, facts, and analysis of Indonesia’s electoral experience—is overwhelmingly positive. Written by Harun Husein, one of the few journalists who understands the intricacies of electoral affairs and has closely followed the contest of ideas and interests among politicians and political parties during the deliberations on the Electoral Law leading up to the 2014 Election, this work deserves the highest praise.
The book provides a rich account of the ideas, debates, and criticisms that shaped the discussions of the Electoral Bill that eventually became Law No. 8 of 2012. It must be acknowledged that Harun Husein succeeds in simplifying the complexities of electoral issues and making them accessible to a broad readership.
More importantly, this book has the potential to inspire and encourage politicians, government officials, scholars, election administrators, and election practitioners to work more seriously toward creating elections that are democratic and compatible with Indonesia’s political and social realities. Such elections are essential for producing governments that are democratic, effective, and responsive to the needs of the people.
Arif Wibowo
Chairperson, Special Committee on the Electoral Bill, House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI)
This publication was originally offered for sale at a price of IDR 150,000 and was available through the Perludem Secretariat Office:
Perludem Secretariat Office
Jalan Tebet Timur IV A No. 1
Tebet, South Jakarta, Indonesia
Tel: +62 21 8300 004
Fax: +62 21 8379 5697
Email: [email protected]
