Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra Earns Second Doctorate in Philosophy

Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra has achieved his second doctoral degree, this time in Philosophy from the University of Indonesia. The degree was awarded following his successful defense of his dissertation on July 2, 2026.

Mahendra's dissertation, titled "Reinterpreting Mohammad Natsir's Thought on Islam and State Relations: A Philosophical Study with a Hermeneutic Phenomenological-Existential Approach," delved into the ideas of Mohammad Natsir, a key figure in Indonesia's early republic. Mahendra highlighted Natsir's concept of "theistic democracy" as particularly relevant for contemporary Indonesia.

He argued that Indonesia's democratic journey since the Reformasi era has been undermined by the persistent influence of oligarchic power structures. According to Mahendra, political and economic elites have managed to retain power, even leveraging the democratization process for their own ends. This, he contends, has led to a decline in democratic practices and a move toward "non-democratic practices that endanger democracy itself."

Furthermore, Mahendra's research suggested that leadership emerging from procedural democracy does not automatically guarantee accountability or public responsibility. He concluded that for the future well-being of Indonesia, the nation can no longer afford to let democracy continue on its current trajectory, implying a need for significant reforms to strengthen democratic institutions and practices.