Abuse of Power by Government Applications on Government Policies During the Covid-19 Pandemic in Indonesia

Abstract

In a democratic country, government power is obtained from the consent of the people, that the people are sovereign and give legitimacy to the power they want. The principle of popular sovereignty states that no individual, group of people or an elite has the right to determine and impose (demand with threats) how others should obey. Indonesia, which is led by a president and assisted by ministers, must be able to use the power and authority it has properly and responsibly. In government policies, there are moral rights and obligations of individuals aimed at the welfare of the wider community. Apparatus who have good morals will produce and implement policies with an orientation to the public interest. However, there are still government officials, including the Minister of the Second Advanced Indonesian Cabinet, who are considered to have abused their power with corruption that is not in accordance with legal, social, religious and humanitarian norms, even during the limited period due to the prolonged Covid-19 pandemic. That power can influence the actions of a government official towards policies that should be carried out properly, as well as the level of awareness of the individual if the power he has belongs to the people, not private property for the benefit of individuals or an elite group, so that public trust in the government can be well maintained.