POPULIKA

Policy on Refusal of Repatriation of Indonesian Citizens Former ISIS Members and Unseen Security Threats

Umul Fadilatul Ulla — 2026-07-29

The defeat of ISIS has left many Indonesian citizens who were once members of the radical group trapped in conflict zones. However, this study argues that refusing repatriation will not completely eliminate security risks, as deportation loopholes will directly force Indonesia to accept returning Indonesian citizens without going through strict procedures. This study will use a qualitative descriptive approach and case study analysis to examine in depth Indonesia's decision to refuse repatriation and the security loophole from the policy. The case studies of Rullie Zeke and Ulfa, Indonesian citizens affiliated with ISIS, are used as examples of the limitations of deportation in preventing cross border radicalization and terrorism. Deportation makes countries vulnerable because they have to accept highly risky individuals without being able to refuse them, which ultimately weakens their longterm risk mitigation capacity. There is a potential for new, unseen threats if the policy of refusing repatriation continues to be implemented without other adaptive policies.

Keywords: Deportation; Repatriation Policy; National Security.

Informal Institutions and the Complexity of Joint Action in Indonesian Governance

Ricky Putra — 2029-07-29

Governance requires diverse institutions with varying backgrounds to act in concert as representatives of the state. However, in the Indonesian context, joint actions reach a high degree complexity due to deeply seated and overpowering informal institutions. These informal institutions can dictate bureaucratic behavior and shape public perception of the state’s overall governance. This study explores the connection between the influence of informal institutions and the complexity of joint actions. Utilizing data from secondary sources-including open-access journals and official online database-the study examines the relationships between sudden policy implementation by central authorities, the subsequent vacuum of authority, informal institutions, weak oversight, and the implementation of repressive policies by populist leaders. Ultimately, this research finds that the joint actions necessary for governance in Indonesia are heavily influenced by informality. These informal structures emerge when the rapid implementation of policies is not paired with the necessary technical knowledge. The resulting effect is poor bureaucratic performance, where corrective efforts, such as institutional oversight, are hindered by the same informality affecting other formal institutions. Consequently, this study concludes that sudden reforms are counterproductive and instead advocates for the gradual development of the technical expertise required to execute modern governance.

“YouTube sebagai media alternatif komunikasi politik: Integrasi Wacana Multimodal dalam Komunikasi Video Kampanye Politik “Prabowo-Gibran Memang Istimewa”

Jusuf Ariz Wahyuono — 2026-07-29

This study analyzes the multimodal discourse in Prabowo-Gibran's YouTube campaign videos. The goal is to understand how these advertising videos use various modes to construct their political meanings and messages. The object of this research is a video titled "Prabowo Gibran Is Special," uploaded to the Gerindra TV channel in 2024. This video conveys the message of Prabowo-Gibran's closeness, their positive image, and their commitment to their political vision and mission. Through its visual presentation, this video also seeks to inspire and unite Indonesian society by showcasing the values of nationalism, solidarity, and unity.

Keywords: YouTube; political communication; multimodal discourse analysis; political videos; 2024 presidential election.