State Selectivity in the Criminalization of Ideology in Indonesia: A Case Study of Communism
Selektivitas Negara dalam Kriminalisasi Ideologi di Indonesia: Studi Kasus Komunisme
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36982/jpp.v11i2.7055Keywords:
Ideological Criminalization, Communism, Political Law, Selective Enforcement, PancasilaAbstract
Purpose : This study aims to analyze how the state constructs communism as an ideological threat in Indonesian politics through criminal law instruments and to assess the extent to which this construction reflects political selectivity in responding to ideologies deemed contrary to Pancasila.
Design/methodology/approach : This research employs a qualitative-descriptive method with an interpretive-critical approach based on interpretive policy analysis. Data were collected through document studies of legal materials, academic literature, and policy documents, and analyzed using discourse analysis, framing, and process-tracing techniques to examine the relationship between discursive construction and legal formation.
Findings : The findings reveal that the criminalization of communism is a historically institutionalized political-legal construction shaped by collective memory, state narratives, and power interests. The state consistently employs criminal law to frame communism as an existential threat, while other ideologies are addressed through more varied and non-penal approaches, indicating political selectivity that is not fully grounded in empirical threat assessment.
Practical Implication : These findings highlight the need to reorient ideological criminalization policies by positioning criminal law as an ultimum remedium and promoting more proportional, evidence-based, and human rights–oriented approaches to prevent the abuse of power.
Originality/value : This study contributes a novel perspective by integrating political law analysis, selective enforcement theory, and state ideology studies into a unified analytical framework, demonstrating that selectivity operates not only in law enforcement but also in norm construction and the production of ideological threats.
Paper type : Research Paper
References
Abidin, Z., Mamentu, M., & Lengkong, J. P. (2026). Analysis of Symbolic Power in the Indonesia – China High-Speed Rail Development Policy ( KCIC / Whoosh ) Analisis Kekuasaan Simbolik dalam Kebijakan Pembangunan Kereta Cepat Indonesia China ( KCIC / Whoosh ). Jurnal Pemerintahan Dan Politik, 11(1), 216–241. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36982/jpp.v11i1.6461
Alam Mahadika, & Efendi, D. (2021). Anti-Communism Politics. Journal of Government and Political Issues, 1(2), 73–86. https://doi.org/10.53341/jgpi.v1i2.20
Ali, M., Hafid, I., & Anggraeny, K. D. (2022). Criminalization Based on the Principle of Human Rights Limitation. Jurnal Hukum Novelty, 13(1), 98–108. https://doi.org/10.26555/novelty.v13i1.a23606
Amer, N. (2020). ANALISIS PEMBUBARAN ORGANISASI KEMASYARAKATAN DALAM PERSPEKTIF NEGARA HUKUM. Jurnal Legalitas, 15(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33756/jelta.v13i01.5417
Angretnowati, Y., & Karolus, M. L. (2022). Negara, Gerakan Islam Pasca-Fundamentalis dan Masa Depan Demokrasi di Indonesia: Kekuasaan Simbolik dan Upaya Konsolidasi. Politika: Jurnal Ilmu Politik, 13(2), 369–393. https://doi.org/10.14710/politika.13.2.2022.369-393
Aryadi, A. M., & Fernandha, R. D. (2024). Perjalanan Mahasiswa Indonesia Penerima Beasiswa Di Era Soekarno : Dari Harapan Internasionalisme Ke Dampak Kebijakan Anti-Komunisme Di Era Soeharto. Jurnal Sosial Humaniora Sigli, 7(1), 305–316. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.47647/jsh.v7i1.2350
Citrawan, H., & Putri, G. C. (2024). Law, Memory, and Silence: the Case of Anti-Communism Laws in Indonesia. Age of Human Rights Journal, 22(22), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.17561/tahrj.v22.8021
Creswell, J. W. (2013). Qualitative Inquiry & Research Design (L. Habib (ed.); 3rd ed.). Vicki Knight.
Duha, A. M. (2022). Pancasila and Communism: An Ideological Comparison. Indonesian Journal of Pancasila and Global Constitutionalism, 1(2), 391–414. https://doi.org/10.15294/ijpgc.v1i2.59807
Eddyono, L. W. (2019). Quo Vadis Pancasila sebagai Norma Konstitusi yang Tidak Dapat Diubah. Jurnal Konstitusi, 16(3), 585. https://doi.org/10.31078/jk1637
Effendi, R., & Rizka, M. (2025). Penguatan Sumber Daya Manusia Pertahanan dalam Menghadapi Radikalisme, Konservatisme, dan Liberalisme Agama terhadap Ideologi Pancasila di Indonesia. Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pengembanga Sumber Daya Pertahanan, 2(2), 77–89. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.63210/jp3.v2i2.188
Eickhoff, M., Danardono, D., Rahardjo, T., & Sidabalok, H. (2017). The Memory Landscapes of “1965” in Semarang. Journal of Genocide Research, 19(4), 530–550. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623528.2017.1393945
Fairclough, N. (1995). Critical Discourse Analysis: the critical study of analysis. In Longman Publishing. Longman Publishing.
Faisal, I. (2018). Religion, State, and Ideology in Indonesia: a Historical Account of the Acceptance of Pancasila As the Basis of Indonesian State. Indonesian Journal of Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies, 1(2), 19–58. https://doi.org/10.20885/ijiis.vol1.iss2.art2
Fauziah, & Thohri, M. (2018). STRATEGI PENANGANAN PAHAM KEAGAMAAN MENYIMPANG DALAM PERSPEKTIF DAKWAH (Studi pada Kasus-kasus yang Ditangani MUI NTB). Jurnal Penelitian Keislaman, 14(1), 13–29. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.20414/jpk.v14i1.494
Fenton, A. J. (2024). The Pancasila Ideological Direction Bill (RUU-HIP): A Missed Opportunity? Politics and Governance, 12, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.17645/pag.7672
Fernando, Z. J., Arifin, F., & Sitepu, S. (2025). Dissemination of Communism/Marxism-Leninism As Political Offense in Indonesian: National Security Protection or Academic Freedom Threat. Masalah-Masalah Hukum, 54(2), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.14710/mmh.54.2.2025.115-135
Foucault, M. (1980). Power/Knowledge. In C. Gordon (Ed.), The Bloomsbury Handbook of Literary and Cultural Theory. Pantheon Books.
Garcia, K. (2025). Selective Enforcement. The Georgetown Law Journal, 1165–1222.
George, A., & Bennet, A. (2005). Case Studies and Theory Development in the Social Science. Harvard University.
Hamdi, S., Mulyadi, F., & Swarto. (2021). De-Radikalisasi Islam, Khilafah dan Pendidikan Pancasila di Komunitas Wahabisme di Indonesia. SANGKÉP: Jurnal Kajian Sosial Keagamaan, 4(2), 185–202. https://doi.org/10.20414/sangkep.v2i2.p-ISSN
Hearman, V. (2017). Contesting Victimhood in the Indonesian Anti-Communist Violence and Its Implications for Justice for the Victims of the 1968 South Blitar Trisula Operation in East Java. Journal of Genocide Research, 19(4), 512–529. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623528.2017.1393943
Hiariej, E. O. S. (2017). Prinsip Prinsip Hukum Pidana (Revisi Cet). Cahaya Atma Pustaka.
Hikam, M. A., & Riyanta, S. (2018). The Development of Radical Groups in Indonesia After Goverment Regulations in Lieu Of Law No 2/2017 Concerning Community Organizational and Law No 5/2018 Concerning Terrorism In National Security Perspective. Journal of Defense & State Defense, 8(3), 47–68. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33172/jpbh.v8i3.448
Hufron, H., & Hajjatulloh, H. (2020). Aktualisasi Negara Hukum Pancasila Dalam Memberantas Komunisme Di Indonesia. Mimbar Keadilan, 13(1), 60–71. https://doi.org/10.30996/mk.v13i1.2949
Hutajulu, J. (2022). Tindakan Pemerintah Menegakkan Ideologi Pancasila Dalam Pembentukan Organisasi Kemasyarakatan. Jurnal Ilmiah Publika, 10(2), 323. https://doi.org/10.33603/publika.v10i2.7707
Ismail, M. (2019). Analisis Undang-Undang Nomor 2 Tahun 2017 tentang Organisasi Kemasyarakatan dalam Teori Negara Hukum. Jurnal Hukum Ekonomi Syariah, 2(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.30595/jhes.v2i1.4414
Jamilah, J., & Rafii, M. (2022). Kampanye Ide Khilafah: Studi Manajemen Dakwah Akun Facebook Buletin Dakwah Kaffah. Tazkir: Jurnal Penelitian Ilmu-Ilmu Sosial Dan Keislaman, 8(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.24952/tazkir.v8i1.5152
Leksana, G. (2021). Collaboration in Mass Violence: The Case of the Indonesian Anti-Leftist Mass Killings in 1965–66 in East Java. Journal of Genocide Research, 23(1), 58–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/14623528.2020.1778612
Lukes, S. (1980). Power: A Radical View. In Contemporary Sociology (Vol. 9, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.2307/2065624
MD, M. (2012). Politik Hukum di Indonesia. PT Raja Grafindo Persada.
Muhtadi, M., & Ridlwan, Z. (2023). Reinstatement the National Guidelines of State Policy within Indonesia’s Presidential System: The Possibility. Fiat Justisia: Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 17(2), 131–142. https://doi.org/10.25041/fiatjustisia.v17no2.2909
Mustapa, H., Zulkarnaen, N., & Feny Yuniarti, P. (2024). Sacralization of Pancasila: Ideology and Repression in the Implementation of the Pancasila Ideology Development Board (Bpip) and Guidelines for the Appreciation and Practice of Pancasila (P4). Politik Indonesia: Indonesian Political Science Review, 9(1), 52–67. https://doi.org/10.15294/jpi.v9i1.3466
Nor, A. (2025). Konstruksi Hukum Pasal 188 KUHP tentang Larangan Komunisme atau Marxisme-Leninisme terhadap Pancasila. Jurnal Hukum Dan HAM Wara Sains, 4(02), 361–370. https://doi.org/10.58812/jhhws.v4i02.2317
Nuvemyanto, A. D., Nur, R., & Ridlo, M. R. (2026). Reforming the Regulatory Impact Assessment to Restore Regulatory Rationality in Indonesia’s Fast -Track Legislation. Jurnal Pemerintahan Dan Politik, 11(1), 134–152. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36982/jpp.v11i1.6136
Oktavia, E. M. (2024). Uji Proporsonalitas UUD 1945: Pembatasan Hak Beragama dalam Pembubaran Hizbut Thahrir Indonesia Pendahuluan Dalam konteks masyarakat , terdapat sebuah paradoks yang menarik antara upaya menjaga kebebasan individu dan menjamin keterbukaan . Karl Popper men. Jurnal Restorasi Hukum, 7(2), 188–208. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.14421/eaax2f69
Pahrun Wadipalapa, R. (2023). The communist imaginary in Indonesia’s 2014 and 2019 presidential elections. Asian Journal of Political Science, 31(3), 197–221. https://doi.org/10.1080/02185377.2023.2270947
Perdana, M. A., & Aurellia, S. A. (2025). Guaranteeing Freedom of Speech: The Role of the Primus Inter Pares Principle in the Presidential Insult Clause. Pancasila and Law Review, 6(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.25041/plr.v6i1.4080
Prahassacitta, V. (2024). Anti-Pancasila Offence: Protection of National Security or Threat to Freedom of Speech. Kosmik Hukum, 24(2), 87. https://doi.org/10.30595/kosmikhukum.v24i2.21103
Purnomo, P. (2017). Pengembangan Buletin Kampus Bermuatan Nilai Kebhinekaan Pancasila untuk Menangkal Radikalisme pada Mahasiswa STKIP Darussalam Cilacap. Jurnal Lingua Idea, 8(2), 60. https://doi.org/10.20884/1.jli.2017.8.2.248
Putri, A. A. (2018). Finding the X Factor: Counter-frames, Political Opinion Formation, and Agency in Reconciliation Efforts for Indonesia’s 1965 Anti-Communism Purge Victims. Jurnal Komunikasi Indonesia, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.7454/jki.v6i2.8915
Rosa, D. V. (2022). Pancasila Dan Politik Toleransi Orde Baru. Jurnal Mediasosian : Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Administrasi Negara, 6(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.30737/mediasosian.v6i1.2330
Rubeinstein, G. (2023). SELECTIVE PROSECUTION , SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT , AND REMEDIAL VAGUENESS. WISCONSIN LAW REVIEW. https://doi.org/https://ssrn.com/abstract=4273180
Santika, G. N., Sujana, G., & Winaya, M. A. (2019). Membangun Kesadaran Integratif Bangsa Indonesia Melalui Refleksi Perjalanan Historis Pancasila Dalam Perspektif Konflik Ideologis. JED (Jurnal Etika Demokrasi) Pendidikan Pancasila Dan Kewarganegaraan, 4(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.26618/jed.v4i2.2391
Satriawan, I., Islami, M. N., & Lailam, T. (2019). Pencegahan Gerakan Radikalisme melalui Penanaman Ideologi Pancasila dan Budaya Sadar Konstitusi Berbasis Komunitas. Jurnal Surya Masyarakat, 1(2), 99. https://doi.org/10.26714/jsm.1.2.2019.99-110
Setia, P., & Syarif, D. (2022). Reviewing the Role of the Coordinating Board for Campus Da’Wah Institutions (Bkldk) in Spreading Radicalism. Jurnal At-Tahir, 22(2), 295–324. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21154/altahrir.v22i2.4897
Subhan, M. (2019). Perlindungan Hukum Bagi Penganut Ideologi Komunisme/Marxisme-Leninisme Di Indonesia. Mimbar Keadilan, 12(2), 138–154. https://doi.org/10.30996/mk.v12i2.2385
Van Der Voet, J., & Lerusse, A. (2024). Performance information and issue prioritization by political and managerial decision-makers: A discrete choice experiment. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 34(4), 582–597. https://doi.org/10.1093/jopart/muae011
Wasman, R. (2019). Ajaran Millah Ibrahim dalam Pandangan MUI Kota Cirebon (Studi Putusan Fatwa MUI Kota Cirebon Nomor 070/HF-MUI-KC/XII/2009). Inklusif: Jurnal Pengkajian Penelitian Ekonomi Dan Hukum Islam, 4(2), 153–166.
Wulansari, F., & Kiftiyah, A. (2024). Implementasi Nilai-Nilai Pancasila Dan Moderasi Agama Sebagai Upaya Menangkal Gerakan Radikal di Indonesia. PANCASILA: Jurnal Keindonesiaan, 4(1), 91–104. https://doi.org/10.52738/pjk.v4i1.158
Yanow, D. (1999). Conducting Interpretive Policy Analysis. In Sage Publisher.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. In Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research (6th ed.). SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.1177/109634809702100108
Zul Khaidir Kadir. (2025a). Kriminalisasi Tanpa Batas: Mengurai Penyalahgunaan Kekuasaan dalam Legislasi Kodifikasi Hukum Pidana Modern. Presidensial: Jurnal Hukum, Administrasi Negara, Dan Kebijakan Publik, 2(2), 01–18. https://doi.org/10.62383/presidensial.v2i2.665
Zul Khaidir Kadir. (2025b). Reaksioner Kriminologi: Sayap Kanan, Moralitas, dan Kriminalisasi Budaya pop Dalam Era Post-Truth. Jurnal Intelek Insan Cendikia, 2(3), 10108–10121.
Zulfaidah, R., & Abdillah, M. T. (2025). Law Under the Shadow of Power: Exploration of the Politicization of Law and Its Impact on Legal Quality and Law Enforcement in Indonesia. Pancasila and Law Review, 6(2), 81–92. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.25041/plr.v6i2. 4795
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
Abstract views: 286
/ PDF downloads: 603
