Politicians take seats at Indonesia's central bank and top court

Indonesia has placed politicians into two institutions meant to stay above politics, its central bank and its Constitutional Court, raising worries about their independence. Writing for Indonesia at Melbourne, Muhammad Yoppy Adhi Hernawan explains that in late January 2026, parliament confirmed Thomas Djiwandono, President Prabowo's nephew and a member of his party, as a deputy governor of Bank Indonesia, and Adies Kadir, a senior figure from another party, as a Constitutional Court judge.

Both choices raised eyebrows. Djiwandono was picked over two career central bankers and admitted he lacks experience in monetary policy, the very job of the central bank, all while the rupiah was under pressure. Kadir replaced a different nominee at the last minute and had earlier defended controversial perks for lawmakers. Putting political insiders into bodies that are supposed to check the government's power can weaken public trust in their decisions.

The author's fix is simple: a "cooling-off" period. Indonesia already bars ex-politicians from joining the election commission for five years, and he argues the same rule should apply to the central bank and the Constitutional Court, so that these institutions keep their distance from party politics.

Why it matters

An independent central bank and court protect your savings and your rights by deciding on the merits, not on political orders. When party insiders fill these seats, trust in the currency and the law can weaken. Watch whether these appointees act independently, and whether Indonesia adopts rules to keep politics out of these institutions.