ARTICLES

26 May 2022

Out of the Frying Pan Into the Fire: Cooking Oil Burns Jokowi’s Popularity

Burhanuddin Muhtadi|Julia Lau

Rising inflation in Indonesia, especially for cooking oil prices, has dented President Joko Widodo’s popularity. If left unresolved, his party’s showing in the next elections could well be adversely affected by this issue.

23 May 2022

Jokowi’s Dilemma: To Stay or To Go?

Yanuar Nugroho

Although President Jokowi has officially announced the date of the next Indonesian presidential election, there are important strategic and personal considerations that could tempt him to seek to remain in power.

Indonesia Indonesia Elections Indonesian Politics

13 May 2022

Tackling the Problem of Identity Violence Against Pluralists

Syafiq Hasyim|Norshahril Saat

A recent attack on an academic who has promoted pluralism in Indonesia highlights the need for the government to adopt new strategies to tackle Islamist violence against such individuals.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Political Islam Religious Dialogue Religious Intolerance

10 May 2022

A Victory for the Social Opposition: Upping Protection for Victims of Sexual Violence

Max Lane

Indonesia’s social opposition has notched an important victory with the passage of a landmark law against sexual violence. The victory was propelled by a unified campaign and the fact that the legislation did not pose a threat to economic interests.

Civil Society Gender Equality Indonesia Indonesian Politics

4 May 2022

The New FPI: Don’t Buy the Same Horse Twice

Ahalla Tsauro|Firmanda Taufiq

The neo-FPI, the latest reincarnation of the Islamic Defenders Front, has sought to make a clean break from its controversial predecessor. Indonesians should take it with a dollop of salt.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Political Islam Religion Religious Intolerance

25 Apr 2022

Restoring Public Trust in Indonesia’s Political Parties

Albert Jehoshua Rapha|Azeem Marhendra Amedi

Indonesia’s political parties are the least trusted political institutions in the country. The combination of elite politics and the entrenched presence of business and other vested interests at the highest levels of government make it challenging for political parties to act as guardians of Indonesian democracy.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

21 Apr 2022

Moon Versus Maths: The Ramadhan Debate and Future of Indonesia’s Pluralism

A'an Suryana|Norshahril Saat

This year’s Ramadhan saw less bickering among Indonesian Muslims about the appropriate start date for the blessed month. The ‘agree to disagree’ approach should be employed in other facets of the country’s socio-religious life.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Religion Religious Dialogue Religious Intolerance

20 Apr 2022

A Third Term for Jokowi: Weighing the Risks of Constitutional Change

Max Lane

The recent brouhaha over a possible extension of President Joko Widodo’s term underscores a quandary in Indonesia’s politics: there is no low-risk candidate that political parties can back.

Indonesia Indonesia Elections Indonesian Politics

14 Apr 2022

Say It Ain’t So, Joko: No Third Term for Widodo

Julia Lau

Recent student protests against rising living costs and rumours that Widodo might seek a third presidential term suggest that Indonesia’s democracy is not as resilient as some may think.

Indonesia Indonesia Elections Indonesian Politics

17 Mar 2022

Rising Support for Postponing Indonesia’s Elections? What the Data Really Says

Burhanuddin Muhtadi

Once again, key Indonesian politicians are floating trial balloons on the merits of postponing the 2024 Indonesian presidential election, citing mounting public support for it. But the data suggests otherwise.

Indonesia Indonesia Elections Indonesian Politics