ARTICLES

13 Jul 2020

Islamist Groups: Jokowi and the Horns of a Dilemma

Syafiq Hasyim

Islamist groups have been on the up on up in Indonesia. However, a failure to foster unity in the ranks will not bode well for their political fortunes.

Indonesia Islamist Groups

26 Jun 2020

South China Sea: Indonesia Crosses Swords with China

Leo Suryadinata

Indonesia has recently taken a firmer position vis-à-vis China on the South China Sea. Those who think that Jakarta is assuming the leadership mantle of ASEAN on the issue will be disappointed; the more assertive stance derives from Jakarta’s own interests.

Indonesia South China Sea

21 Jun 2020

Joko’s Fire and Fury: A Chance to Reform the Cabinet?

Yanuar Nugroho

As a recession looms, President Joko Widodo has unleashed his fury on his ministers for their mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Speculation about a Cabinet reshuffle is rife. Instead of focusing on personalities, however, the emphasis should be on areas which desperately need reform

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

9 Jun 2020

Indonesian Muslim Groups Grapple with the “New Normal”

Syafiq Hasyim

Muslim groups, which were generally in favour of the government’s partial lockdown earlier on in the Covid-19 pandemic, are now taking up a less sanguine position.

COVID-19 Indonesia Indonesian Politics

27 May 2020

Indonesia’s Islamist Groups: The Logic of Strategic Silence

Made Supriatma

Indonesia’s Islamist groups have not hit back at President Jokowi for his handling of the current Covid-19 pandemic. There are several reasons for their strategic silence.

COVID-19 Indonesia Indonesian Politics

9 Apr 2020

Covid-19: In the Doldrums of Debt

Malcolm Cook

Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, many Southeast Asian countries, several of which are already forecast to careen into recession this year, will see themselves in hock.

Cambodia COVID-19 Indonesia Laos

3 Apr 2020

Covid-19 and Indonesia: Not Quite a Lockdown

Siwage Dharma Negara

Jakarta has studied the examples of Malaysia and India and decided not to implement a full lockdown amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The social and economic costs are deemed to be too high.

COVID-19 Indonesia

31 Mar 2020

Fighting Covid-19 in Indonesia: The Nexus of Religion and the State

Syafiq Hasyim

The positions taken by some Islamic groups on the national policy of social distancing will determine the success – or failure – of the policy.

COVID-19 Indonesia Religion

7 Mar 2019

Nahdlatul Ulama and the Framing of an Ideological Battle in the 2019 Indonesian Elections

Ahmad Najib Burhani

Indonesia's 2019 presidential elections have turned into a proxy battle between two different ideological leanings. Anti-caliphate and moderate Islamist groups backing Joko Widodo have arrayed themselves against pro-caliphate groups backing Prabowo.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Islamist Groups

21 Dec 2018

Ma’ruf Amin: A Shield from Identity Politics, but not a Vote-getter?

Ahmad Najib Burhani

Ma'ruf Amin, Joko Wido's choice of running mate for the presidential election in April next year, was chosen mainly to “shield” the Presdient from the attacks utilising the politics of identity and religion. However, Jokowi's camp needs to lower their expectations for Ma'ruf Amin as a vote-getter as he lacks appeal among young voters.

Identity Politics Indonesia