"This final assignment is observing about government system and institutions relationship in Indonesia, since Soeharto?s era until Reformation era. Its research is focused on presidentialism practice in Indonesia, study case of SBY-JK government (October 2004 ? March 2008). This objective study is based on the theories of presidentialism, democracy, political party, and presidential leadership especially in the third world with qualitative literature approach.
Executive and legislative institution in Indonesia, had a dynamic relationship since Soeharto?s era. That situation made a problem in presidentialism practice. Within Soeharto?s power, new order era succeed to make executive heavy on the system. It means, Soeharto controlled the government system and became a centralistic of authority. On the other hand, legislative was powerless. This executive heavy caused dissatisfaction on the accountability, transparency, and mandate for the people. President is voted by legislative but in practical, executive was so powerful. Many people had realized then, if there were a disappointment on the government and political practice for 32 years of Soeharto?s era. After that, General economic distress was happened on 1997 in Indonesia within global monetary crisis. In addition, the government was controlled by corruption, collusion, and nepotism politician. As a result, people pushed the reform in 1998.
Reformation 1998, has made a renewal in institutional relationship between executive, legislative, and judicative, especially President - House of Representative. With amendment UUD 1945, liberalization of political parties was occurred, House of Representative?s authority has been empowered, and all of the problems were started to be fixed. In the next four generation of President (B.J. Habibie, Gus Dur, Megawati, SBY), Indonesia had implemented those reform, but still adjusted. Until the election in 2004 and almost 10 years, reformation still has had a problem in presidentialism practice.
The election in 2004 (within separated election and multiparty) was the new era for President who would be more powerful because of the direct election, but on the contrary, the combination between presidentialism and multiparty was a complicated combination. President faced with coalition party, minority president, and cohabitation in executive leadership. The fact, SBY-JK controls the government with weak management/policy and leadership of SBY-JK inside. So that, many problems which are faced by the government cannot be solved effectively/efficiently, at least during this research is being done."
Depok: Fakultas Ilmu Sosial dan Ilmu Politik Universitas Indonesia, 2008
