Coordinating Minister For Law And Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra Profile

Tuesday, 29 Oct 2024

By srirahayu@insightinnews.com

Yusril Ihza Mahendra was born on February 5, 1956, in East Belitung. He earned his bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Indonesia in 1983, after which he pursued postgraduate studies at the same university, focusing on law and Islamic studies. He furthered his education at the University of Punjab in Pakistan, specializing in the humanities and social sciences. Subsequently, he continued his studies at Universiti Sains Malaysia, where he obtained a Master of Science (M.Sc.) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in political science from the Graduate School of Education in 1993. He was later appointed as a Professor of Law at the University of Indonesia, where he continues to hold the title of law professor.

Yusril Ihza Mahendra came close to being elected as the President of the Republic of Indonesia during the People's Consultative Assembly session in 1999. Following the resignation of President Soeharto in 1998, Yusril, who had previously worked as a law lecturer, entered the realm of practical politics. He founded the Crescent Star Party (PBB), a successor to the Masyumi Islamic Party from the era of President Soekarno.

During the presidential election held at the MPR RI in October 1999, Yusril was a candidate, receiving 232 votes, while Megawati garnered 305 votes and Abdurrahman Wahid received 185 votes. Yusril had a significant opportunity to become the next president, succeeding BJ Habibie; however, the Central Axis coalition, which included PBB, the National Mandate Party, the National Awakening Party, and Golkar, ultimately supported Abdurrahman Wahid, who was backed by PKB. Gus Dur then faced Megawati in the second round, where Abdurrahman emerged victorious.

Yusril's experience in bureaucracy began prior to his political career. As a Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Indonesia, he was appointed by President Soeharto to write speeches for the administration. Over a span of more than two years, Yusril authored 204 speeches for President Soeharto.

After the reform era, Yusril's career in government flourished. He served as a minister under various presidents. During President Abdurrahman Wahid's administration (1999-2001), he was appointed as the Minister of Justice and Human Rights. Under President Megawati (2001-2004), he held the position of Minister of Law and Human Rights, and later, during President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's term (2004-2007), he served as the Minister of State Secretary.

During the second term of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration, Yusril appeared to be marginalized. He even became a suspect in the corruption case related to the Legal Administration System (Sisminbakum), which occurred while he was serving as the Minister of Law. Yusril faced a travel ban, but he contested this status by arguing that the Attorney General was relying on an outdated legal basis.

In his international career, Yusril represented the government on several occasions. He participated in international negotiations at the ASEAN level, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), APEC, and the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

After leaving public office, Yusril returned to academia and established a law firm with his brother Yusron Ihza, named Ihza & Ihza Law Firm. His legal consulting services gained prominence, bolstered by his well-known reputation. In light of recent political developments, Yusril resumed leadership of the Crescent Star Party for the 2015-2020 period. In 2016, he was even considered a potential candidate for the governor of DKI Jakarta, but his aspirations were thwarted due to a lack of political party support.

Yusril was born on February 5, 1956, in Lalang, Manggar, East Belitung. He is the son of Idris Haji Zainal and Nursiha Sandon. Yusril's father hailed from Johor, Malaysia, and his grandfather was a nobleman of the Johor Sultanate. His mother has Minangkabau ancestry.

Yusril has been married twice during his domestic life, first to Kessy Sukaesih, with whom he has four children. After their separation, he remarried Rika Tolentino Kato in 2006, and they have two children together.

Yusril's childhood was spent in an educated family, as his father was a teacher who later worked in the education department. His father aspired for all nine of his children to continue the academic tradition by becoming teachers or lecturers.

It appears that his father's message resonated deeply with Yusril. He demonstrated a strong commitment to achieving his ambitions. In addition to being intelligent, Yusril was actively involved in school organizations. He served as the president of the student council during his time in junior high school and continued this role in high school.

After graduating from high school, Yusril pursued a degree in Philosophy at the Faculty of Literature and later studied Constitutional Law at the University of Indonesia (UI) in 1982. He furthered his education with a master's program at the University of the Punjab in India, and he obtained his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University Sains Malaysia.

His career began as an educator, aligning with his parents' wishes. He taught courses in Constitutional Law, Legal Theory, and Philosophy of Law at the University of Indonesia, where he was later appointed as a Professor of Law.

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