ARTICLES

10 Sep 2024

Controversy on Indonesia’s Hajj 2024 Rekindles Conflict Between Nahdlatul Ulama and the National Awakening Party

Syafiq Hasyim

There is a lot more going on behind the scenes between the leadership of Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisation and the party which sprung from its roots. What might be personal has certainly become political.

9 Sep 2024

The Twilight of Electoral Competition in Indonesia

Ian Wilson

Recent student-led demonstrations throughout Indonesia show that popular support for democracy remains high. This support is not necessarily shared, however, by political parties who are collaborating in an increasingly cartel-like fashion to shrink electoral competition.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Law Indonesian Politics

6 Sep 2024

Evaluating Indonesian Muslims’ Engagement with China

Xue Song

In the past decade, China has extensively engaged with Muslim communities in Indonesia, primarily through collaborative efforts with major Islamic organizations. This Long Read examines the motivations of Indonesia’s Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah in their engagements with China, arguing that they align with their respective goals of promoting Archipelagic Islam and Progressive Islam globally.

China China-Indonesia Relations Indonesia Indonesian Politics

3 Sep 2024

Golkar’s Takeover and the Waning of Joko Widodo’s Power

Made Supriatma

Less than two months before stepping down, the outgoing president of Indonesia’s plans to hang onto power are at risk of unravelling. What is worse, his previously sky-high popularity is also starting to fray.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Joko Widodo

27 Aug 2024

Indonesia’s “Emergency Warning” Movement Against Jokowi’s Political Dynasty

Ika Ningtyas|Nuurrianti Jalli

Virtual and physical resistance to the ruling elite’s attempts to trample on democracy last week in Indonesia became a powerful reminder of how social media can be a force multiplier in democracy.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Law Indonesian Politics

26 Aug 2024

Dynastic Politics Provokes Nationwide Demonstrations

Max Lane

There are growing perceptions that President Joko Widodo is seeking to build a political dynasty at the expense of democracy.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Law Indonesian Politics

21 Aug 2024

Indonesia’s Lame-Duck Parliamentary Session: Productive but Damaging Democracy

Made Supriatma

The unprecedentedly long interim between Indonesia’s election and the new government’s inauguration has allowed the outgoing president and Parliament unusual leeway to distort democracy in self-serving ways.

Indonesia Indonesian Elections Indonesian Law Indonesian Politics

6 Aug 2024

Democracy, Corruption, and Law Enforcement: Challenges in Achieving Grand Indonesia 2045

Mahfud MD

This article is from a speech delivered by former Coordinating Minister for Politics, Law and Security and recent vice-presidential candidate Professor Mahfud MD at ISEAS on 4 July 2024

Corruption Indonesia Indonesian Law Indonesian Politics

2 Aug 2024

Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election: How Political Personas and Policy Platforms Influenced Swing Voters

Julia Lau|Maria Monica Wihardja

In Indonesia’s presidential election in February, candidates’ failure to distinguish themselves in persona and policies hurt their campaigns.

Indonesia Indonesian Politics Presidential Election Voters

11 Jul 2024

Corruption Eradication in Indonesia: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Astrid Meilasari-Sugiana|Gunardi Endro|Siwage Dharma Negara

Public expectations for corruption eradication will never be met unless fundamental reforms are implemented within Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) and other law enforcement agencies, including the National Police and the Attorney General’s Office. Also needed are curbs on the cosy relationships between politicians and big business.

Corruption Indonesia Indonesian Politics