There are concerns Prabowo's approach will push reform away from ‘rule of law’ towards ‘rule by law’ because of his preference for enforcing order rather than the law, demonstrated by the long list of human rights abuses he is alleged to have committed in the past. Their concerns are valid, but the problem is bigger than Prabowo.

Seizing on the revolutionary fervour of Indonesian Independence Day, workers from public and private universities in Indonesia declared the establishment of the Campus Workers Union (SPK)  on 17 August 2023. But can a new academic union actually reform university management in Indonesia? And what challenges will this new union need to overcome to defend the interests of campus workers?

As depressing as it is, the destruction of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is not surprising. It is a sign of the limits of institutional approaches in advancing democratic legal reform in Indonesia.

As protests rage, legal avenues to overturn the controversial law may no longer be the answer, write Abdil Mughis Mudhoffir and Rafiqa Qurrata A’yun.

Political and business elites are exploiting the Covid-19 crisis to further increase their power and material resources, write Rafiqa Qurrata A'yun and Abdil Mughis Mudhoffir.

President Joko Widodo was supported by many activists because of promises to strengthen the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). But as Rafiqa Qurrata A'yun and Abdil Mughis Mudhoffir write, in the end he played a significant role in contributing to its demise.

Abdil Mughis Mudhoffir and Rafiqa Qurrata Ayun write that rather than dismissing non-voters as apathetic or irresponsible, it is far more productive to reflect on how they can contribute to strengthening democracy.

Abdil Mughis Mudhoffir and Rafiqa Qurrata A’yun take a look at the results of the 2018 regional elections. Rather than reflecting national-level dynamics, they write, the behaviour of political parties and politicians at the local level is defined primarily by opportunism.