ARTICLES

26 Jan 2022

Tackling the Challenges of Financial Inclusion and Illegal Lending in Indonesia

Irni Rahmayani Johan

The heavy financial toll of the pandemic on Indonesia’s poor has led to spikes in illegal moneylending activity. Urgent steps are needed to protect the vulnerable from the risks of financial exploitation.

17 Jan 2022

The New Nahdlatul Ulama (NU): ‘Islamic Party No; Islamic Politicians Yes?’

Norshahril Saat|Syafiq Hasyim

Newly elected NU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf campaigned on a platform to depoliticise NU in the run-up to the next elections. But NU's new leadership line-up suggests otherwise.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Political Islam Progressive Islam Religion

13 Jan 2022

Indonesia’s South China Sea Confab: When Chin-wagging Counts

Ian Storey

Indonesia plans to convene a meeting with some of its ASEAN colleagues to discuss the South China Sea. The idea is not new, but this time it might just work.

Indonesia Maritime Security Regional Cooperation South China Sea

3 Jan 2022

The President Versus the Cleric: Managing Conservatives From Within

A'an Suryana|Norshahril Saat

A recent public spat between President Joko Widodo and a prominent cleric underscores how the former is facing challenges in reining in conservatives in his inner circle.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Religion

30 Dec 2021

The ‘Revival’ of PKI: Bogeyman Tactics

Leo Suryadinata

The Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) no longer exists in the country’s political landscape. But this has not stopped some groups from using the PKI bogeyman for political gain.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

29 Dec 2021

The 212 Movement: Flagging Political Fortunes

Syafiq Hasyim

The decline of the 212 Movement in Indonesia could well portend the decline of political Islam.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Islam Political Islam

17 Dec 2021

Fighting Big Fat Lies Online: Caveat Emptor

Lee Sue-Ann

In the online battlefield, companies, politicians and media outlets are trying to shape how we think. For media consumers and journalists alike, the keys to a strong defence lie in media literacy and discernment.

Indonesia Malaysia Misinformation Philippine Social Media Technology

16 Dec 2021

Indonesian Police and Vigilante Groups: An Implicit Double Standard

A'an Suryana

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has called on police officers to stop visits to patrons of vigilante groups. The problem, however, is that there is a double-standard here in how different groups are treated.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

15 Dec 2021

Extending TNI Officers’ Retirement Age: More Harm than Good?

Evan A. Laksmana

Raising the retirement age for Indonesian Defence Force officers could worsen logjams for mid- and high-ranking officers, and as well as undermine Indonesia’s broader interests in the Indo-Pacific.

Defence Indonesia Indonesian Military Indonesian Politics

9 Dec 2021

Al-Najah’s Arrest: Time for MUI to Come Clean

Syafiq Hasyim|Norshahril Saat

A member of the Council of Ulama Indonesia (MUI) was arrested recently for his involvement in Jemaah Islamiah. MUI should make amends by explaining how such an association came about, and effect a more rigorous recruitment regime.

Indonesia Islam Islamist Groups terrorism