One-horse races in regional elections: another grim symptom of Indonesia’s ailing democracy

On 27 November 2024, Indonesia will hold simultaneous regional elections (pilkada) in 545 provinces, regencies and municipalities. This is a massive electoral process that, at a glance, suggests Indonesia’s democracy remains vibrant. However, a closer look into the individual races offers a grimmer picture.

Talking Indonesia: Prabowo, China and the South China Sea

The past decade has seen the Natuna Islands militarise at a pace, as skirmishes with Chinese military and an army of illegal fishing trawlers challenge the Indonesian navy. Last week, the dynamics of this conflict took a dramatic turn when it transpired that Indonesia had signed a cooperative statement with China that committed to developing the area together in recognition of, and this is the kicker, overlapping claims on the area.

TALKING INDONESIA PODCASTSee all


One-horse races in regional elections: another grim symptom of Indonesia’s ailing democracy

On 27 November 2024, Indonesia will hold simultaneous regional elections (pilkada) in 545 provinces, regencies and municipalities. This is a massive electoral process that, at a glance, suggests Indonesia’s democracy remains vibrant. However, a closer look into the individual races offers a grimmer picture.

Talking Indonesia: Prabowo, China and the South China Sea

The past decade has seen the Natuna Islands militarise at a pace, as skirmishes with Chinese military and an army of illegal fishing trawlers challenge the Indonesian navy. Last week, the dynamics of this conflict took a dramatic turn when it transpired that Indonesia had signed a cooperative statement with China that committed to developing the area together in recognition of, and this is the kicker, overlapping claims on the area.

Can Indonesia’s tech sector take off from Australia’s ‘landing pads’?  

,
As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia presents a compelling case for deeper engagement with Australia’s Landing Pads program.

‘We must have our own cars’: Looking under the hood of Indonesia’s new official car project

,
Beyond its striking exterior, excitement around the MV3 Garuda largely derives from its local origins. The SUV is part of a new range of civilian vehicles manufactured by PT Pindad, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s state-owned DefendID Consortium, which specialises in military products.

Talking Indonesia: foreign workers

Has the Indonesian government’s concern for Indonesian citizens in foreign lands translated at all to an awareness of the need to protect foreign workers within its own borders?

Why did Indonesian judges go on strike?

,
From 7 to 11 October 2024, a group of judges called Indonesian Judges’ Solidarity (Solidaritas Hakim Indonesia, SHI) took collective leave of absence to protest their poor conditions, including their remarkably low salaries. In effect, thousands of judges were on strike.

Is Jokowi still a political force?

,
Two weeks after leaving the State Palace and transferring his official position to President Prabowo Subianto, it looks like Jokowi is not retiring from politics, as he once claimed he planned to do.

A Prabowo and Sugiono foreign policy: substantive or performative change?

,
The fact that Prabowo retained 18 members of Jokowi’s cabinet – Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister and Airlangga Hartarto as coordinating economy minister are among the notables he retained – but appointed Sugiono as his foreign minister, rather than reappoint the experienced Retno Marsudi, clearly signalled that Prabowo intends to be heavily involved in foreign policy making decisions.

Talking Indonesia: the papal visit

,
In this week's episode Jemma chats with Bagus Laksana, the Rector of Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta. He is the author of 'Muslim and Catholic Pilgrimage Practices: Explorations Through Java'.

One-horse races in regional elections: another grim symptom of Indonesia’s ailing democracy

On 27 November 2024, Indonesia will hold simultaneous regional elections (pilkada) in 545 provinces, regencies and municipalities. This is a massive electoral process that, at a glance, suggests Indonesia’s democracy remains vibrant. However, a closer look into the individual races offers a grimmer picture.

Talking Indonesia: Prabowo, China and the South China Sea

The past decade has seen the Natuna Islands militarise at a pace, as skirmishes with Chinese military and an army of illegal fishing trawlers challenge the Indonesian navy. Last week, the dynamics of this conflict took a dramatic turn when it transpired that Indonesia had signed a cooperative statement with China that committed to developing the area together in recognition of, and this is the kicker, overlapping claims on the area.

Can Indonesia’s tech sector take off from Australia’s ‘landing pads’?  

,
As the largest economy in Southeast Asia, Indonesia presents a compelling case for deeper engagement with Australia’s Landing Pads program.

‘We must have our own cars’: Looking under the hood of Indonesia’s new official car project

,
Beyond its striking exterior, excitement around the MV3 Garuda largely derives from its local origins. The SUV is part of a new range of civilian vehicles manufactured by PT Pindad, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s state-owned DefendID Consortium, which specialises in military products.

Talking Indonesia: foreign workers

Has the Indonesian government’s concern for Indonesian citizens in foreign lands translated at all to an awareness of the need to protect foreign workers within its own borders?

Why did Indonesian judges go on strike?

,
From 7 to 11 October 2024, a group of judges called Indonesian Judges’ Solidarity (Solidaritas Hakim Indonesia, SHI) took collective leave of absence to protest their poor conditions, including their remarkably low salaries. In effect, thousands of judges were on strike.

Is Jokowi still a political force?

,
Two weeks after leaving the State Palace and transferring his official position to President Prabowo Subianto, it looks like Jokowi is not retiring from politics, as he once claimed he planned to do.

A Prabowo and Sugiono foreign policy: substantive or performative change?

,
The fact that Prabowo retained 18 members of Jokowi’s cabinet – Sri Mulyani Indrawati as finance minister and Airlangga Hartarto as coordinating economy minister are among the notables he retained – but appointed Sugiono as his foreign minister, rather than reappoint the experienced Retno Marsudi, clearly signalled that Prabowo intends to be heavily involved in foreign policy making decisions.

Talking Indonesia: the papal visit

,
In this week's episode Jemma chats with Bagus Laksana, the Rector of Sanata Dharma University in Yogyakarta. He is the author of 'Muslim and Catholic Pilgrimage Practices: Explorations Through Java'.
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Jokowi’s power consolidation: navigating post-election politics

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These three parties could shape the future of political opposition in Indonesia

22 February 2024/by Yohanes Sulaiman, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/yohanes-sulaiman/

Prabowo victory secures Jokowi’s legacy

20 February 2024/by Virdika Rizky Utama, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/virdika-rizky-utama/

Indonesia at Melbourne is supported by:

Melbourne Law School Asia Institute Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society Indonesia Forum Faculty of Arts Indonesia Democracy Hallmark Research Initiative

Indonesia at Melbourne

Room 726, Level 7, 185 Pelham St,
The University of Melbourne
Parkville 3010 VIC Australia

Phone: +61 3 83448581

Email:  indo-at-melb@unimelb.edu.au

Date created: 1 July 2015

Editor: Ary Hermawan

Editorial board: 
Professor Tim Lindsey
Dr Tim Mann
Aron Corbett

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