The Controversy of Indonesian Democracy Practices in The Post-Reform

Democracy in post-reform Indonesia does not always work, and this has even led to controversy. However, this topic remains underexplored in scholarly discussions. In response to gaps in previous studies, this research focuses on the
characteristics, factors, and controversies of post-reform democracy in Indonesia. Employing a qualitative descriptive approach rooted in case studies, this study highlights three key findings. First, the involvement of family members of the rulers as public officials occurs massively in high-state institutions. Second, rulers increasingly use legal instruments to expand their political influence. Third, the
rulers widely practice limiting freedom of speech for citizens to maintain the status quo. This study also recommends the importance of future studies to explain
citizens' perceptions of Indonesia's post-reform democracy by conducting intensive interviews. Through this process, it is expected that a more comprehensive understanding of the development of democracy in post-reform Indonesia will be
gained.