CONTRIBUTORS

Julia Lau is a Senior Fellow and Co-Coordinator of the Indonesia Studies Programme, and Editor, Fulcrum at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. Her research interests include Indonesia’s foreign policy, Singapore’s war memory of the Japanese Occupation, and gerontology.

Articles by Julia Lau (12)

President Joko Widodo invited three presidential candidates for the 2024 presidential election -- Anies Baswedan (R), Ganjar Pranowo (L), and Prabowo Subianto (2R) -- to have lunch together at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta. (Photo. by Joko Widodo / Twitter)

The Race is On! Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Candidates Assessed

Julia Lau|Made Supriatma

It will be a tough fight in next February’s presidential election in Indonesia. There is time for the race odds to shift but the stakes are already clear.

Firmly by Palestine’s Side: Behind Malaysia’s Response to the Israel-Gaza Crisis

Julia Lau|Francis E. Hutchinson

Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim has not minced his words in upbraiding Israel and its supporters for their response to the worsening crisis in the Gaza territories. His motivations are driven by compelling domestic factors and a long-held political stance on Palestine.

Indonesian Muslim activists hold banners during a demonstration against the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in front of the Horse Statue in Jakarta, Indonesia on October 13, 2023. (Photo by Eko Siswono Toyudho / ANADOLU / Anadolu via AFP)

The Implications of the Israel-Gaza Conflict on Indonesia

Julia Lau

Indonesia is likely to support the Palestinian people and redouble its commitment and calls for a two-state solution in light of the ongoing Israeli-Gaza violence. Domestically, the spiralling crisis has some potential to affect the 2024 presidential candidates and security climate, especially if no urgent solution is in sight.

Jokowi’s (Worst) Reshuffle: A Loss for the Country But Does He Gain?

Yanuar Nugroho|Julia Lau

President Joko Widodo’s cabinet reshuffle last week was a calculated move to shore up his position rather than improve policy performance.

President Jokowi and PM Anthony Albanese visited the Sumatran tigers at Taronga Zoo, Sydney on July 4, 2023 (photo: AlboMP / Twitter)

Indonesia Looks East: Widodo’s Engagement with Australia and Papua New Guinea

Julia Lau

Despite earlier misgivings about his overly domestic focus, President Joko Widodo’s recent trip to Australia underscores how he has matured as a statesman and improved bilateral ties with Indonesia’s southern neighbour. Indonesia’s growing middle power influence was illustrated by Widodo’s subsequent visit to Papua New Guinea.