PCD Journal

The Practice of Local Bossism

Yohanes Ivan Rukma Rukma — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study examines the relationship between politics and business through the case of Agus, a tobacco middleman in Bukit Hijau regency. Agus plays a pivotal role as a local boss, maintaining his position as a member of the District Regional House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Daerah tingkat Kabupaten) in the regency. Employing a qualitative research design with a phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews. The study finds that Agus’s crucial position in the local tobacco trade system enabled his transformation into a local boss, or a local political figure, through two mobilisation channels: (1) the tobacco trade network, which he successfully converted into an electoral political network, and (2) religious networks, evidenced by his affiliation with the Nusantara Social Party (Partai Sosial Nusantara/PSN). These forms of mobilisation are analysed through six strategic frameworks for local bossism. The limitation of local bosses arises from the fact that the influence of local bosses is constrained by political party structures. The institutional system of political parties limit the full consolidation of power within the party. In conclusion, while local bosses such as Agus successfully mobilised political support through local boss strategies, their power remains incomplete and subject to institutional limitations.

Policy Implementation Scheme and Policy Pathology

Dwi Fatmalia Dwi Fatmalia — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 09:36:55 +0700

This paper analyses the KPR Sejahtera policy, a mortgage loan programme for low-income communities (masyarakat berpenghasilan rendah/MBR) initiated by the Ministry of Public Works and Housing (Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum dan Perumahan Rakyat/PUPR). Although the policy has good intentions, its implementation, particularly the funding scheme has hindered the effectiveness of housing provision in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Using the pathology of public policy framework by Hogwood & Peters (1985) and the NATO scheme from Hood & Margetts (2007), this study explores why the KPR Sejahtera funding mechanism has proven ineffective and has instead created new issues. The Directorate of Infrastructure Financing (Direktorat Jenderal Pembiayaan Infrastruktur) delegates this programme to state-owned banks, but the implementation details are left to each bank. The core problem arises from the mismatch between the banks' profit-oriented nature and the social mission of the program. This leads to internal conflicts within the banks and results in the failure to reach the targeted MBR beneficiaries. This situation reflects the ‘earmarking’ pathology, in which a budget designed for a specific programme is allocated outside of its original purpose, leading to sub-optimal policy outcomes.

Multiactor Dynamics in Domestic Wastewater Governance within the Framework of Water Governance

Zahira Syifa Sitoresmi — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 09:38:14 +0700

Wastewater management is important component in sanitation that has direct affect on the quality of clean water sources. This study analyses the implementation of domestic wastewater governance by focusing on two key aspects: government performance and community involvement. Adopting a case study approach, the study was conducted at the Sewon Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), which is the only regional WWTP in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta/DIY) serving Sleman regency, Yogyakarta city, and Bantul regency. Data were collected through interviews, document analysis, and field observation. The analysis is grounded in a water governance framework, assessing three key dimensions: content, institutional arrangements, and relational dynamics. The results reveal significant gaps in policy implementation, limited coordination among government actors, and minimal public participation. These challenges have negatively impacted the effectiveness and sustainability of domestic wastewater management. Therefore, the study underlines the urgent need for more integrated coordination among governmental bodies and stronger efforts to empower communities. Greater public literacy, involvement in decision-making processes, and inclusive governance practices are essential to improve the performance of domestic wastewater management and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

No More Sexual Violence

Azzallea Ega Riesta Christsanda — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 09:34:09 +0700

This study examines how digital platforms are utilised as tools for anti-sexual violence campaigns, with a particular focus on perEMPUan, a woman-led advocacy initiative based on Instagram. By centring the campaign against sexual harassment and violence, this research explores how perEMPUan builds narratives, mobilises public discourse, and fosters collective awareness in digital spaces. Employing a qualitative netnographic approach, the study draws on three main sources: narrative content posted on the Instagram account @_perEMPUan_, audience responses observed in the comment sections, and an in-depth interview with the community’s founder, Rika Rosvianti (also known as Neqy). The findings reveal five thematic categories that reflect the campaign’s core strategies and recurring issues: (1) relationships between public figures and their followers, (2) domestic violence, (3) victim-blaming narratives, (4) the conceptual framing of sexual harassment and violence, and (5) depictions of sexual violence as tragedy. The analysis draws on George and Leidner’s (2019) theoretical framework on the hierarchy of digital activism. The findings point to a distinct division of roles between the advocacy community and its digital audience, particularly in how public discourse around sexual violence is shaped and negotiated in online spaces.

The Implementation of the Social Licence to Operate (SLO) Concept in Nickel Mining Governance in Kolaka Regency

Umirul Ham — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 12:00:44 +0700

This article examines the governance of nickel mining permits in Indonesia, with Kolaka regency as a case study, with a focus on the implementation of the social license to operate (SLO) and the principle of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) as an integral component of SLO. The growing global demand for nickel has led to environmental degradation and social challenges. Drawing on document analysis, field observations, and interviews, this study finds that the implementation of SLO in Kolaka has not fully achieved genuine social legitimacy. Companies largely depend on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and community development programmes to build social acceptance, with primary focus on compensatory measures such as infrastructure or employment. However, these strategies tend to be top-down and do not ensure inclusive participation. FPIC has not been properly implemented, as consultations often exclude indigenous communities and fail to meet the criteria of being free, prior, and informed. Moreover, SLO is typically secured after mining operations have already commenced. These findings show that SLO implementation in Kolaka remains superficial, shaped more by CSR than by active engagement and voluntary consent from affected communities. It recommends adopting a more transparent and participatory approach grounded in FPIC principles.

Taming the Beast

Daniel Chigudu — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:47:25 +0700

The study challenges the prevailing belief that conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is mainly driven by ethnicity, weak governance, or resource mismanagement. It argues instead that reccurring violence stems from deeper structural problems, such as economic deprivation, systemic institutional failure, and the influence of multifaceted geopolitical interests. Despite repeated peace agreements and interventions, the root causes remain unaddressed, allowing tensions to resurface quickly. Using qualitative research based on secondary data from government reports, international organisations, and expert academic studies, the findings show that conflict in the DRC is phenomenally complex in nature and raises persistent questions about why the DRC has not benefited from its sizable economic potential. This study calls for developing strategies related to inclusive economic development policies to provide an institutional framework, restoring operationalisation of these institutional challenges. It refrains from straightforward explanations relating to ethnicity or mismanagement of resources. It aims to inform policy recommendations about future interventions by underpinning the path to sustained peace and national development in similarly complex contexts.