Justice Matters Most: Ray Rangkuti, Democracy Fighter from UIN Jakarta
Jakarta, UIN Online News - Democracy is intrinsically linked to discussion followed by polls and debates as the character of the democratic process; it sometimes escalates into intense arguments that yield sound democratic judgments. That is why Indonesia needs such a man who is a prominent political analyst and deeply rooted in the political realm.
Ahmad Fauzi, B.R.E., often referred to as Ray Rangkuti and recognized for his astute intellect and rhetorical prowess, is an alumnus of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. Ray concluded his education in the Faculty of Ushuluddin, focusing on Islamic Philosophy and Creed.
His acumen in the political realm did not result from a brief procedure; he began the political journey in his collegiate years. Ray actively engaged both on campus and nationally, facilitating the assembly of students from Ciputat with diverse backgrounds as part of the Forum Komunikasi Mahasiswa Ciputat (FKMC) while also engaging in the 1998 reform movement.
Ray Rangkuti's political trajectory continued during his collegiate years, when he co-founded the Independent Election Monitoring Committee (KIPP) and held the position of secretary-general. Subsequently, he established Lingkar Madani (LIMA), a civil development organization (LSM) dedicated to the supervision of democracy, including the monitoring of election processes, evaluation of legislative policy, and the fight against corruption.
National media outlets like MetroTV and tvOne have been a frequent platform for Ray Rangkuti, since he is often invited to participate in public discussions on policy and contemporary concerns. Ray, adorned with his characteristic national headgear, exhibits intellectual acumen and rhetorical finesse.
In the 2024 Democratic election, Ray presented an ethical dilemma. Ethics in governance is a crucial aspect of democracy; for him, the legal dimension pertains only to what is lawful or impermissible, while the democratic political process embodies an attitude that signifies justice.
"An important lesson overlooked in the past decade is that in governance and democracy, the focus should not solely be on what is permissible or impermissible according to rules, but rather on what is beneficial or detrimental within the framework of governance," he explained.
His comments and ideas are not based on blind guesses but rather on the manifestations of his affection for the people and the country, like his critique of the National Police's performance, the new military policy that was deemed a violation of reform mandates, and the pattern of impunity within the Attorney General's Office over Tom Lembong's case.
Ray hopes that the system will view any criticism of authorities not as an attack but as a tool for growth. The people of democracy must question the honesty, transparency, and accountability of the justice system.
"Ironically, when the people criticize a prosecutor, it is perceived as a direct assault that undermines the integrity of the entire Attorney General's Office while they were originally established by the people and for the people," he addressed.
UIN Jakarta continues to cultivate the nation's leaders; the principles and experiences acquired throughout college not only render Ray Rangkuti a graduate but also an exceptional contributor to Indonesia's legal.
(M. Hanif Al-Fatih/Zaenal M./Muhamad Arifin Ilham/Photo: Wikipedia)