Indonesian Anti Corruption Studies
Vol. 1 No. 2 (2024): June, 2024

Political Will in Anti-Corruption Reform: A Study of Presidential Policies in Indonesia

Muhammad Irham Abrori (Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)



Article Info

Publish Date
30 Apr 2024

Abstract

Political will is widely regarded as a crucial determinant of successful anti-corruption reforms. This paper examines the role of presidential leadership and policy initiatives in shaping Indonesia’s anti-corruption landscape from the Reformasi era to the present. Utilizing a qualitative policy analysis and discourse analysis of presidential speeches, decrees, and legislative proposals, the study investigates how political commitment manifests in practice and its impact on institutional reforms, particularly focusing on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and judiciary reforms. The findings reveal a complex relationship between political will and anti-corruption outcomes, where episodic support from presidents often clashes with entrenched political interests and bureaucratic resistance. While some administrations have championed bold reforms, others have exhibited ambivalence or even undermined key institutions. The paper argues that genuine political will requires consistent, transparent, and sustained actions beyond rhetoric, coupled with an enabling political environment. This study contributes to the international debate by illustrating how leadership dynamics influence the durability of anti-corruption reforms in emerging democracies. It offers policy recommendations to strengthen executive accountability and promote cross-institutional cooperation for more effective corruption control in Indonesia and comparable contexts.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

anticorruption

Publisher

Subject

Description

Indonesian Anti Corruption Studies (e-ISSN: 3164-5836) is a peer-reviewed, open-access academic journal in the field of anti-corruption studies, published by COLLEGIUM JUSTICIA INDONESIA in online format (electronic journal). First published in 2024, the journal is issued quarterly in March, June, ...