Restructuring Mass Organizations: Between Freedom of Association and Public Order

In recent years, the existence of mass organizations (ormas) has once again drawn public attention. This is not only due to their activities that often cause social unrest and public order disturbances but also because of their impact on the investment climate and legal certainty in various regions.

In response, the government has formed an Integrated Task Force to combat thuggery and problematic mass organizations as part of its efforts to maintain security and create a conducive business environment. These dynamics have opened up critical discussions regarding the role of mass organizations in a democratic state, the boundaries between freedom of association and public interest, and the urgency to revise regulations to ensure that these organizations contribute positively to national development.

Therefore, we cordially invite researchers, academics, bureaucrats, policy analysts, students, activists, functional officials, and governance observers to participate in the 2026 publication of Bestuurskunde by submitting manuscripts (in either Indonesian or English), based on field research or literature studies, focusing on mass organizations as part of the broader discourse on governance reform and civil society engagement in Indonesia.