ARTICLES

20 Feb 2024

Why Ganjar-Mahfud Were Beaten on Their Own Turf But PDI-P Survived

Made Supriatma

A post-election analysis of Ganjar Pranowo’s poor showing in last week’s presidential election requires examining what went on behind the scenes and at the grassroots level, including on his home turf, Central Java.

13 Feb 2024

Indonesia’s Presidential Election and Palestinian Issues

Nostalgiawan Wahyudhi|Ahmad Najib Burhani

Each candidate aspiring towards Indonesia’s presidency has had to voice his support for the Palestinian cause and people, not least because he will soon lead the world’s largest Muslim majority country.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Middle East

8 Feb 2024

Questioning the Neutrality of Nahdlatul Ulama in Indonesia’s 2024 Election

Syafiq Hasyim

Despite declarations of the mass Muslim organisation’s political neutrality, there are misgivings on the ground about the Nahdlatul Ulama leadership’s true inclinations for next week’s election.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

8 Feb 2024

Can Prabowo-Gibran Win Outright Against a Ganjar-Anies Alliance?

Made Supriatma

The odds of a one round knockout by frontrunner candidate Prabowo Subianto might be narrowing, with less than a week to go before polling day.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

2 Feb 2024

Will Better-Informed Indonesian Youth Vote for Dynastic Politicians?

Iim Halimatusa’diyah|Yoes C. Kenawas|Fikri Fahrul Faiz

Political dynasties are prevalent in Indonesia and many new democracies, with regressive effects, but recent research finds that Indonesian university students are averse to political dynasties. Critical and well-informed youth can be agents of change in strengthening democracy.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

30 Jan 2024

An Election to End All Elections?

Ian Wilson

Indonesia’s upcoming presidential and legislative elections will take place against a backdrop of increasing party and legislative buy-in to the idea of downsizing the scale of direct elections. What might a Prabowo presidency mean for the future of its electoral democracy?

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

22 Jan 2024

Indonesia Votes 2024: Personality Versus Policy in the Presidential Election

Julia Lau|Maria Monica Wihardja

A nationwide survey finds that many Indonesian voters supporting a party in the legislative election might not support the party’s chosen presidential candidate. The three presidential candidates are liked more for their personality traits than policy stances. In short, personality still outweighs policy.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

19 Jan 2024

The Twin Axis in Indonesian Politics: Elite Personal Ambition and the Alienation of Civil Society

Max Lane

This Long Read argues that a 20-year process of consolidation of a homogeneous political outlook among the parties controlling the Indonesian electoral scene has facilitated a political life that is dominated by personal rivalry and ambitions, and which has opened the way for dynasty building.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

17 Jan 2024

Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Campaigns: Hyper-local and Personal Touchpoints Matter Most

Lee Sue-Ann|Maria Monica Wihardja

A recent survey shows that younger Indonesian voters, like their older fellow citizens, still hold traditional media and in-person conversations in high regard when it comes to learning about the elections and deciding whom to vote for.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

15 Jan 2024

Will the “China Factor” Become an Election Issue in Indonesia?

Leo Suryadinata|Siwage Dharma Negara

Indonesia’s economic relationship with China is occasionally marred by deadly accidents at Chinese-built and owned industrial sites in the archipelago. Nevertheless, economic cooperation with China is not going to slow down, no matter who wins the election next month.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics