ARTICLES

23 Oct 2020

Why Was Prabowo Invited to the US?

Leo Suryadinata

The Indonesian defence minister’s visit to Washington DC raised many eyebrows and questions.

19 Oct 2020

Nahdlatul Ulama versus Jokowi: The NU Normal?

Ahmad Najib Burhani

The Nahdlatul Ulama has previously thrown its full support behind the government of Joko Widodo. Its recent criticism of the president’s decision to press on with regional polls and the Omnibus Law suggests a parting of ways.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

16 Oct 2020

Indonesian Muslim Groups Oppose Omnibus Law

Syafiq Hasyim

President Jokowi’s unpopular job creation law creates a new rift with Indonesia’s leading Islamic groups.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

22 Sep 2020

Managing the Voices of Islam in Indonesia

Syafiq Hasyim

Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs’ planned certification programme for Muslim preachers creates another state-mosque flashpoint.

Indonesia Religion

22 Sep 2020

Israel-UAE-Bahrain Deals: Questions over Indonesia and Malaysia’s Reactions

Giora Eliraz

The recently-concluded peace agreements between Israel and both the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have elicited a delayed and carefully-phrased response from Indonesia and a relatively mild response from Malaysia. Indonesia’s growing relations with the UAE could be a factor in the delayed response. Malaysia’s reaction, however, is more difficult to fathom.

Indonesia Malaysia

18 Sep 2020

To Ban or Wear: The Niqab in Indonesian Public Offices

A'an Suryana|Nur Syafiqah Mohd Taufek

The central government’s proposal to ban the niqab in Indonesian public offices faces pushback from local political leaders and various quarters of the country’s Muslim community.

Indonesia Religion

17 Sep 2020

Indonesia and Covid-19: Worst of Both Worlds

Quinton Temby

Jakarta is going into a second lockdown in the wake of the Covid-19. This time, it is hoped that the capital will avoid the nightmare scenario: a lockdown that fails to stop community transmission and a further contraction of the economy.

COVID-19 Indonesia

7 Aug 2020

Save the Planet? Eat Like an Indonesian

Geoffrey K. Pakiam

Protein-rich foods such as tofu and tempeh might well save the world. If all other countries adopted Indonesia’s prescribed dietary standards and actually followed them, current greenhouse gas emissions from global food production would plummet.

Health Indonesia

7 Aug 2020

State Capture and Indonesia’s Justice System: A Mountain to Climb

A'an Suryana

Indonesia recently witnessed a saga involving a high-profile fugitive who received substantial privileges from the public service while he was on the run. Such instances of state capture remain a chronic problem in Indonesia.

Corruption Criminal Justice System Indonesia

4 Aug 2020

Indonesia’s State Ideology Bill: A Brewing Controversy

Max Lane

A bill setting out to interpret the Panca Sila, a set of five principles enshrined in the Indonesian Constitution, has come under attack. Conservative elements argue that the bill has framed Panca Sila in an entirely secular manner.

Indonesia Pancasila