ARTICLES

16 Aug 2023

Indonesia’s Appointed Leaders and the Future of Regional Elections

Ian Wilson

By the end of 2023, there will be 271 interim regional heads who are appointed rather than elected, constituting over half of the regional leadership posts throughout Indonesia. These handpicked interim leaders are well-positioned to use the advantages of incumbency to promote central government interests at the expense of others in the 2024 elections.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

2 Aug 2023

Is Indonesia’s Al-Zaytun Islamic Boarding School Facing an Existential Threat?

A'an Suryana

An Islamic boarding school and its principal are embroiled once again in controversy. This time, maybe the public’s complaints will bite – but for how long?

28 Jul 2023

Can Indonesia Escape the Middle Income Trap?

A. Prasetyantoko

To succeed in truly uplifting most Indonesians to middle income status by 2045, no less than sustained and serious commitment by the country’s next administration(s) to clean up Indonesia’s economy would be required.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy

24 Jul 2023

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.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

19 Jul 2023

Jokowi’s Manoeuvres in Defiance of Megawati Aimed at Consolidating Future Position

Max Lane

How does an outgoing president secure his political future without the usual party mechanism?

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

17 Jul 2023

Can Indonesia Ensure That ASEAN Remains in the Driver’s Seat?

Joanne Lin

Joanne Lin looks at what the recent ASEAN High-Level Meetings have achieved and if ASEAN can indeed play a regional leadership role under Indonesia’s Chairmanship.

ASEAN ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting ASEANFocus Indonesia Regional Cooperation

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

10 Jul 2023

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.

Australia Indonesia Indonesia Foreign Policy

7 Jul 2023

Will the Labour Party Successfully Challenge the Dominance of “Elektabilitas” Politics in Indonesia?

Max Lane

A small new party is sticking to its ideological guns but will probably not make much of a dent in the established elite’s stranglehold on Indonesia’s electoral politics.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections

30 Jun 2023

Pilgrimage, Piety, and Politics: “Haji” Presidents in Indonesia

Norshahril Saat|Ahmad Muhajir

Many politicians eyeing Indonesia’s two top political jobs are performing the Hajj this year. While doing so might boost their political capital, it is unlikely to bag them an outright victory at next year’s polls.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics Political Islam

20 Jun 2023

Indonesia’s Surging Nickel Industry Must Embrace Greater Social and Environmental Safeguards

Muhammad Habib Abiyan Dzakwan

The growth of Indonesia’s nickel industry must not be left unchecked. In crafting new policies, Indonesia must also prioritise stronger social and environmental safeguards.

Environment Indonesia