The Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL), Universitas Gadjah Mada, continues to strengthen its role in promoting political literacy and democratic consolidation in Indonesia. Through the collaboration of four faculty members and alumni of the Department of Politics and Government—Dr. Mada Sukmajati, Putra Satria, Dendy Mifta Rizqia Ikhsandi, and Alfath Bagus Panuntun El Nur Indonesia—FISIPOL UGM has released a new book titled “Potret Dana Kampanye pada Kampanye Pileg (DPR RI) 2019–2024” (Portrait of Campaign Finance in the 2019–2024 Legislative Election Campaigns).
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of an issue often overlooked in public discourse: campaign finance in legislative elections. Based on extensive research conducted between September and November 2024, the authors uncover the challenges of campaign finance reporting, management, and regulation, as well as their impact on the quality of democracy and the risks of money politics.
The study finds that campaign costs have risen sharply—even during the 2024 legislative election, which had a shorter campaign period compared to 2019. These high costs not only widen the gap between candidates but also create opportunities for clientelism, patronage, and political corruption, ultimately threatening the fundamental principles of fair and equal democracy.
Structurally, the book explores campaign finance from multiple perspectives: political parties, incumbents, female candidates, and young politicians. Beyond descriptive data, it also offers a critical evaluation of existing regulations and proposes concrete policy recommendations for reforming campaign finance in the future.
As one of the few works dedicated specifically to campaign finance issues in Indonesia, this book is expected to become a key reference for academics, policymakers, election management bodies, and the general public concerned with safeguarding the integrity of Indonesia’s democracy.
Relevant SDGs (Integrated in the Narrative)
This publication strongly resonates with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
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SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: by promoting transparent, accountable, and fair electoral financing to strengthen democracy.
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SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: by highlighting how rising campaign costs create unequal opportunities for candidates, especially women and young politicians.
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SDG 5 – Gender Equality: by analyzing the specific challenges female candidates face in campaign financing.