ARTICLES

3 Sep 2021

Politicians’ Billboard War Underscores Absence of Policy Contestation

Max Lane

Early presidential bids by some Indonesian politicians have highlighted the lack of any policy debate in mainstream Indonesian politics.

1 Sep 2021

The KPK Controversy Keeps Corruption a Central Issue in Public Consciousness

Max Lane

Policies affecting the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have kept corruption salient in public consciousness. There is growing discontent and anger driven by the perception that the Indonesian political elites are colluding to weaken the KPK to promote their own vested interests.

Anti-Corruption Corruption Indonesia Indonesian Politics

31 Aug 2021

Prospect of a 3rd Jokowi Term: Trial Balloons Unlikely to Fly?

Syafiq Hasyim

Speculation of the possibility of Indonesian President Jokowi seeking a third term in office remains rife. However, there currently appears to be near-unanimous opposition to the idea.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics

8 Jul 2021

Habib Rizieq and Hardline Islamist Groups: Losing Steam

A'an Suryana|Nur Syafiqah Mohd Taufek

Facing a sentence that will see him behind bars till 2025, radical cleric Habib Rizieq Shihab will face problems bouncing back from the political wilderness. His enforced absence from the political scene will be a boon to secular and nationalist presidential candidates.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Islam Islamist Groups

30 Jun 2021

To Lockdown or Not? Indonesia’s Dilemma in Handling the Covid-19 Second Wave

Yanuar Nugroho

The Jokowi government appears to be on the verge of imposing a hard lockdown to curb a second wave of Covid-19 infections. But this belies longstanding hesitancy to adopt drastic measures that could hurt the economy.

COVID-19 Health Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics

23 Jun 2021

A Storm in a Teacup: The Politicisation of Hajj Cancellation in Indonesia

Syafiq Hasyim

The run-up to hajj 2021 saw the opponents of the Jokowi government opportunistically exploiting the issue to undermine the government. This reflects poorly on the quality of political debate in Indonesia today.

COVID-19 Indonesia Indonesian Politics Islam Islamist Groups

18 Jun 2021

Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong: The Rising Influence of Muslim Mainstream Groups

Syafiq Hasyim

The banning of FPI (Front Pembela Islam) in December 2020 may have reduced the incidence of vigilante actions in Indonesia. But this belies the fact that mainstream Muslim organisations have increasingly stepped in to uphold more conservative Islamic strictures, albeit through less confrontational ways.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Islam Islamist Groups

9 Jun 2021

Political Parties’ Manoeuvring after the Jokowi-Prabowo Rapprochement

Max Lane

The rapprochement of Jokowi and Prabowo has resulted in the unusual absence of a polarising rivalry among the main political parties. Nor have there been fundamental differences among parties over major policy questions. Instead, their manoeuvres have been concerned with positioning their choice of presidential candidates for the 2024 elections.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Politics

31 May 2021

Jakarta and Papua: Where There are No Risk-Free Choices

Max Lane

Recent events in Papua underscore the fact that there is no solution that is entirely free of risk for Jakarta. Instead, the choice is between separate sets of risks.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics terrorism

18 May 2021

Indonesia’s First Sovereign Wealth Fund (INA): Opportunities and Challenges

Manggi Habir

The Indonesian government is stepping up its efforts to kickstart its economic recovery by attracting more direct investment into the country. The 2019 Omnibus Law and the recent launch of the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), the country’s first sovereign wealth fund, are deliberate steps in that direction.

Indonesia Indonesian Economy Indonesian Politics Sovereign Wealth Fund