Indonesian Politics

Foreign correspondent and historian Frank Palmos reflects on his first translating job in Java in 1961.

The global success of a motorbike gang with roots in the Netherlands’ Indonesian community is indicative of the socioeconomic marginalisation of many Indonesian migrants.

When you’re accused of blasphemy, displays of humility and oligarchic pedigree may be the best defence.

A supposed announcement of his candidacy actually reemphasises how ambivalent Prabowo is about fighting Jokowi again.

SOEs are expected to do ever more for Jokowi's infrastructure push, but politics dictates they forgo revenue to offer subsidised goods. Who ends up with the bill?

The MD3 saga lays bare not only the DPR's attempt to shield itself from public accountability, but the dysfunctionality of governance under Jokowi.

Snapshots of the new socio-ecological dynamics in post-reconstruction Aceh.

What's behind a fresh panic about attacks on Islamic figures at the hands of "crazy people"?

Data suggest public opinion and civil society do influence judges. That's both good and bad for the quality of their decisions.

Indonesian law recognises both international human rights norms and 'religious values'. The latter are increasingly taking precedence.

Jihadists know how to take advantage of the unique space for mobilisation offered by the Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines triborder area. Governments are still catching up.

Details on a falling out between pro-Anies Baswedan political parties and the religious leaders behind the 212 movement.

Crackdowns on ‘fake news’ producers aren’t enough—Indonesian voters need better journalism and greater digital literacy.

An ethnic Chinese convert to hardline Islam stands out in Indonesia’s crowded Islamic preaching market.

In insisting that “animist” faiths be given a lower status than “religion”, Islamic leaders ignore how the false divide between them was constructed in the first place.

On the reunion of 2016’s anti-Ahok protests: the ‘awakening’ of Islamic identity means togetherness to some, and division to others.

A correlation between polling stations’ location in houses of worship and support for Anies throws up some interesting questions.

The internet is both a factor in, and a victim of, the region’s crisis of democracy.

Democracy in the region finds itself in dark days. Can anything save it?

A frank discussion on civil society and Southeast Asia's crisis of democracy.

Oligarchs have weaponised identity politics in their struggles over power and resources. That means it's not going away any time soon.

Why some perceived a racist dog whistle in Anies Baswedan's inaugural address.

Vedi Hadiz and Tom Power analyse the year in politics at ANU's 2017 Indonesia Update.

The destruction of centuries past should focus the region on preparing for Indonesia’s next mega-eruption.