Mahfud MD: Student rejection of Police Law is natural due to lack of reform

Students are protesting the new Police Law, a move that legal expert Mahfud MD deems "natural" due to the absence of meaningful reforms within the police institution. Mahfud MD, who is also a member of the Police Reform Acceleration Commission, stated that the students have the right to express their rejection of the law because "there has been no change."

Mahfud MD admitted to being pessimistic from the outset about the possibility of significant changes through the police reform agenda. He had anticipated that the recommendations developed by the reform team would not be fully implemented by the government. "The students have the right to state that (reject the Police Law -Red), because indeed there has been no change," Mahfud told reporters in Yogyakarta.

Despite his reservations, Mahfud MD accepted the offer to join the Police Reform Acceleration Commission. He explained his decision was to prevent accusations of being an armchair critic. "If I refused (to join), I would be accused of various things. They would ask, 'Mr. Mahfud just talks, but refuses to get involved when asked.' So, I just joined," he said.