Don’t Mislead the President, Strengthen Governance and Law Enforcement

JAKARTA - Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Young Figure, HRM Khalilur R. Abdullah Sahlawiy or Gus Lilur, assessed that President Prabowo Subianto's various strategic policies in managing natural resources have improved Indonesia's position in the eyes of the world. However, according to him, this success must be accompanied by strengthening the governance of the government and law enforcement so that it is not hampered by corruption practices or inter-institutional conflicts.

In his written statement, Gus Lilur highlighted the increasing intensity of the visits of a number of world leaders to Indonesia in recent weeks, including Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and three former Thai prime ministers, namely Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck Shinawatra, and Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

According to him, the increasing international attention to Indonesia is inseparable from the government's policies, including the implementation of a one-stop export system through Government Regulation Number 24 of 2026 concerning the Management of Exports of Strategic Natural Resource Commodities.

"This action shows that Indonesia is beginning to take control of its own strategic commodities. Other countries come not only to establish diplomatic relations, but because Indonesia is now increasingly taken into account in the global economic map," said Gus Lilur, Monday, July 13.

He assessed that the policy was in line with the mandate of Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution regarding the state's control over natural resources for the greatest prosperity of the people.

In addition, Gus Lilur appreciated the government's steps through the Forest Area Control Task Force (Satgas PKH) which managed to regain millions of hectares of land that had previously been illegally occupied.

However, he reminded that various government strategic programs require the support of an apparatus that has integrity.

According to Gus Lilur, the alleged corruption in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program is an example of how a program designed for the public's benefit can be disrupted if its management is not run in an accountable manner.

"The president has a big vision, but his success depends a lot on the aides who implement the policy. Don't let the president be lied to by his subordinates," he said.

Gus Lilur also highlighted the legal process against former Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) Febrie Adriansyah, who is now a suspect in the alleged corruption and money laundering cases.

He assessed that the case was an important test for the credibility of law enforcement officials, considering that the person concerned previously had a role in efforts to save state assets through the PKH Task Force.

"This matter must be processed transparently and professionally so as not to raise public doubts about the commitment to eradicating corruption," he said.

Gus Lilur also highlighted the transfer of handling cases from the National Police to the Attorney General's Office which according to a number of legal experts is still controversial.

He quoted the views of researchers from the Center for Anti-Corruption Studies (Pukat) of Gadjah Mada University, Zaenur Rohman, who questioned the legal basis for the transfer of the case.

According to Gus Lilur, these various views need to be paid attention to so that the law enforcement process continues to run in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations.

"The most important thing is that this case is resolved openly and thoroughly so that it does not create the perception of a compromise in law enforcement," he said.

In addition to highlighting the handling of cases, Gus Lilur encouraged the government to evaluate the Satgas PKH governance by strengthening the inter-institutional oversight mechanism.

He assessed that the synergy between the TNI, Polri, Attorney General's Office, Ministry of Finance, and related institutions needed to be built through a system of mutual control to prevent abuse of authority.

On that occasion, Gus Lilur also proposed the importance of national reconciliation between law enforcement agencies by emulating the experience of South Africa through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission established by President Nelson Mandela after the end of the apartheid regime.

According to him, reconciliation must be preceded by disclosure of facts and law enforcement so that it does not become merely an inter-institutional compromise.

"Reconciliation must be built on truth and justice. Openness to information is the key so that there will be no more prolonged conflicts or mutual suspicions between state institutions," he said.

Gus Lilur hopes that the government can continue to maintain inter-institutional solidity while ensuring that every process of law enforcement takes place independently, professionally, and transparently.

"Don't lie to the President and don't lie to the Indonesian people. Law enforcement must be carried out fairly so that various strategic government policies really provide the greatest benefit to the community," said Gus Lilur.