ARTICLES

6 Aug 2024

Democracy, Corruption, and Law Enforcement: Challenges in Achieving Grand Indonesia 2045

Mahfud MD

This article is from a speech delivered by former Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security and recent vice-presidential candidate Professor Mahfud MD at ISEAS on 4 July 2024

5 Aug 2024

The Battle for Indonesia’s Environmental Future: Youth Movements Against Systemic Challenges

Aninda Dewayanti|Muhammad Fajar

Environmental activism remains a cottage industry for the youth who champion Earth’s cause in Indonesia. Besides financial pull, they will need organisational evolution before any significant green movement can break the cosy ties between state and dirty business.

Activism Environment Indonesia Youth

2 Aug 2024

Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election: How Political Personas and Policy Platforms Influenced Swing Voters

Julia Lau|Maria Monica Wihardja

In Indonesia’s presidential election in February, candidates’ failure to distinguish themselves in persona and policies hurt their campaigns.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Presidential Election Voters

30 Jul 2024

Tackling the Threat of Salafism Within: Muhammadiyah Leaders Need to Be Bolder

Pradana Boy Zulian

Allowing Salafi elements to join Muhammadiyah has proven a double-edged sword for Indonesia’s second-largest mass Muslim organisation.

Indonesia Islam

25 Jul 2024

Indonesia’s Largest Muslim Organisation Mired in Controversy After Youth Cadres’ Visit to Israel

A'an Suryana|Syafiq Hasyim

Whether they were made use of or knew what they were doing, the actions of five young Nadhlatul Ulama members during their recent trip to Israel have stirred up a hornet’s nest.

Indonesia International Relations Islam Southeast Asia

11 Jul 2024

Corruption Eradication in Indonesia: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Astrid Meilasari-Sugiana|Gunardi Endro|Siwage Dharma Negara

Public expectations for corruption eradication will never be met unless fundamental reforms are implemented within Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and other law enforcement agencies, including the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office. Also needed are curbs on the cosy relationships between politicians and big business.

Corruption Indonesia Indonesian Politics

9 Jul 2024

Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs) in Indonesia and Vietnam: Implications for Southeast Asia

Melinda Martinus

JETP implementation in Vietnam and Indonesia faces challenges such as significant financing gaps, criticisms regarding the attractiveness of financing packages, difficulties in aligning donor and recipient countries’ expectations, the complex political-economic landscape of the coal industry, and concerns over the social impacts of energy transitions.

Environment Indonesia Sustainable Development Vietnam

8 Jul 2024

Nahdlatul Ulama Ventures into Mining: Threat to the ‘Green Islam’ in Indonesia?

Iim Halimatusa’diyah|Endi Aulia Garadian

Nahdlatul Ulama’s venture into the mining business might send the wrong signal for Indonesia’s emerging green Islam movement.

Environment Indonesia Islam Religion

2 Jul 2024

Indonesia’s Islam-based Mass Organisations and the Mining Industry Vortex

Syafiq Hasyim

The Indonesian government’s decision to grant mining concessions to religious mass organisations has resulted in some creative theological justifications. It begs the question whether the recipients have the requisite skill not to damage the environment or their own autonomy.

Climate Change Indonesia Religion

1 Jul 2024

Indonesia’s Labour Party After the Elections: Ambiguities Continue

Max Lane

The failure of Indonesia’s working-class representatives to secure a toehold in the national legislature is partly explained by their inability to make up their mind on whether to be a true oppositional force.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics