Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, the plain-speaking senior economist who was recently appointed Indonesia’s new finance minister, can’t be more different to Sri Mulyani, his reformist predecessor who led the country’s fiscal policymaking for more than a decade.| Indonesia at Melbourne
After recent major demonstrations, including #PeringatanDarurat (EmergencyWarning), #IndonesiaGelap (DarkIndonesia) and #ResetIndonesia, the public sphere in Indonesia has become increasingly fragmented.| Indonesia at Melbourne
What and who was behind this ‘rewriting’ history project? What were their motives? What ‘red flags’ most alarmed historians and others, and ultimately what can be done to resist and possibly reverse the course of this project?| Indonesia at Melbourne
A key concern from the recent Indonesian riots is the targeting of private residences of legislators and technocrats—an emerging development. Historically, rioters focused on commercial areas, malls, and vehicles. Yet, influenced by Nepal’s example circulating on Indonesian social media, protesters have shifted toward attacking the homes of politicians and officials. While provocateurs may be orchestrating this trend, the normalization of such targets risks making attacks on private resid...| Indonesia at Melbourne
To counter the government’s foreign agent narrative, civil society organisations (CSOs) need to respond in a strategic manner. First, they should make transparency a top priority by making public the sources of their funding and allowing their activities to be checked by independent groups. This will preempt allegations of foreign influence. For example, CSO involved in past demonstrations, such as the 2019 protests, should publish verified donation reports.| Indonesia at Melbourne
In today's special episode, Elisabeth Kramer talks to organisers behind Aliansi Gusar, a grassroots based organisation concerned with justice and equality in Indonesia. They share their thoughts and experiences regarding the current protests and organising around ongoing issues in Indonesia.| Indonesia at Melbourne
Regardless of his motives, Prabowo’s decision to grant the pardons raises fundamental questions that demand serious reflection. Will pardons be extended to other corruption cases? If so, what criteria govern such decisions, and how do we ensure they are not wielded arbitrarily or politically?| Indonesia at Melbourne
Ibu Ana, a housewife in Jakarta, caught the national mood when she was photographed in the rain in thongs and a pink headscarf, facing down a cordon of heavily armed police officers with the Indonesian flag on a bamboo pole. Who are these protestors? How did they mobilise so fast? What do they want and how will they achieve it?| Indonesia at Melbourne
The figure of the ‘penyusup’—the shadowy provocateur who incites unrest and pushes protest beyond the bounds of legitimate political action—has become deeply entrenched in Indonesia’s interpretive repertoire for understanding episodes of mass mobilisation.| Indonesia at Melbourne
Indonesia’s strategic location, which includes vitally important international seaways such as the Malacca, Lombok, and the Sunda Straits, is critically important for all navies operating in the Indo-Pacific.| Indonesia at Melbourne
The wave of protests that has broken out in Pati cannot be seen simply as anger at a single government policy; it is as an eruption of dissatisfaction that has been building for years.| Indonesia at Melbourne
The sight of the military swarming the streets to prevent student protesters from disrupting a DPR plenary session brought back memories of President Soeharto’s New Order, when soldiers were an integral and oppressive part of Indonesian political and social life.| Indonesia at Melbourne
A state that monitors its citizens without restraint is no longer protecting its people.| Indonesia at Melbourne
Perhaps the most problematic aspect of the court's decision is that implementing it will likely violate the Constitution itself.| Indonesia at Melbourne
Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad, popularly known as Haji Isam, a young businessman from South Kalimantan, has become the new poster boy for Indonesia’s oligarchy.| Indonesia at Melbourne
The question is — what if, far from constraining him, the current oligarchic configuration will enable Prabowo to unleash his wildest autocratic desires?| Indonesia at Melbourne
Prabowo’s account of democracy places greater value on civility and cohesion than on contestation and debate.| Indonesia at Melbourne
A bizarre bamboo fence that has appeared in waters off the coast of Tangerang, Banten, has made national headlines across Indonesia in the last few weeks.| Indonesia at Melbourne
The Constitutional Court’s ruling is a breath of fresh air for more inclusive, transparent, and competitive presidential elections in Indonesia| Indonesia at Melbourne
NU turning a blind eye to the downsides of coal mining could be seen as a major boost for the coal industry and end up derailing efforts to fight global warming.| Indonesia at Melbourne
It took the Dutch until the twentieth century to dig a banjir (flood) canal and it is only recently that another canal was dug to allow rivers to circumvent the city on the other side. Despite this, modern Jakarta still floods. So what is the long-term solution? Whatever approach is…| Indonesia at Melbourne
In late May 2024, Indonesia’s Anti-corruption Commission (KPK) began prosecuting former Supreme Court Judge Gazalba Saleh in the Central Jakarta District Court. On the surface, there appeared to be nothing unusual about this case. However, the decision the three judges handed down in Saleh’s case was anything but usual. They…| Indonesia at Melbourne