Talking Indonesia: Indonesian games and esports

In recent years, Indonesia has experienced a remarkable transformation in its gaming landscape, with mobile esports emerging as a powerful cultural and economic force. What was once considered a fringe activity now enjoys mainstream legitimacy, supported by both grassroots communities and government institutions.

Can Indonesia navigate global economic turbulence under Prabowo?

,
Despite having a small overall trade exposure to the US and a modest portion of exports in its output, Indonesia’s financial market is among the hardest hit by the threat that Trump’s protectionism poses to the world economy. This reveals a much deeper problem within the Indonesian economy. Investors are growing uneasy not just due to global uncertainty, but also because the Prabowo administration's policy choices are straying away from macro and fiscal prudence, a principle that has supported Indonesia's stable growth for the past two decades.

TALKING INDONESIA PODCASTSee all


Talking Indonesia: Indonesian games and esports

In recent years, Indonesia has experienced a remarkable transformation in its gaming landscape, with mobile esports emerging as a powerful cultural and economic force. What was once considered a fringe activity now enjoys mainstream legitimacy, supported by both grassroots communities and government institutions.

Can Indonesia navigate global economic turbulence under Prabowo?

,
Despite having a small overall trade exposure to the US and a modest portion of exports in its output, Indonesia’s financial market is among the hardest hit by the threat that Trump’s protectionism poses to the world economy. This reveals a much deeper problem within the Indonesian economy. Investors are growing uneasy not just due to global uncertainty, but also because the Prabowo administration's policy choices are straying away from macro and fiscal prudence, a principle that has supported Indonesia's stable growth for the past two decades.

Dual leadership? The Prabowo-Jokowi alliance is just getting more toxic

,
As a politician steeped in Javanese statecraft and power plays, Jokowi clearly has little appetite for a direct confrontation. But this does not make him any less assertive than Prabowo.

Why Indonesia’s free meal program must be more than a headcount

,
While the purpose of the program deserves applause, its implementation has raised many questions. Is it accountable? More importantly, is it making a difference?

Talking Indonesia: a growing protest movement

On 28 March 2025, in downtime Jakarta across from the Sarinah department store, an unlikely group of protesters gathered holding signs and making speeches. The crowd largely consisted of middleclass women of various ages, gathered under the name ‘Suara Ibu Indonesia’ (Voices of Indonesian Mothers). For the organisers, the choice of name and location for their protest was deliberately designed to evoke a moment in Indonesia’s past, now 27 years ago.

Why Indonesia needs to negotiate with Trump on tariffs - but brace for the worst

,
There are at least four reasons why Jakarta cannot afford to engage in a protracted trade war with Washington.

Prabowo’s inner circle is dominated by young, groupthink-prone loyalists. What could go wrong?  

,
These individuals often accompany the president from his residence in Hambalang, West Java, to the State Palace in Jakarta. They travel with him, join official state visits, and take part in both small and large cabinet meetings.

Indonesia’s palm oil win against EU: a triumph for the Global South and climate justice?  

, ,
The palm oil dispute between Indonesia and the EU is certainly about trade, but it is more than that; it is also about setting rules, valuing voices, and defining global sustainability.

Talking Indonesia: archaeology and reading bones

Bones can tell us so much about the past, not just about the ancestry of modern humans (or homo sapiens) but also about the people and cultures of times long forgotten.

Talking Indonesia: Indonesian games and esports

In recent years, Indonesia has experienced a remarkable transformation in its gaming landscape, with mobile esports emerging as a powerful cultural and economic force. What was once considered a fringe activity now enjoys mainstream legitimacy, supported by both grassroots communities and government institutions.

Can Indonesia navigate global economic turbulence under Prabowo?

,
Despite having a small overall trade exposure to the US and a modest portion of exports in its output, Indonesia’s financial market is among the hardest hit by the threat that Trump’s protectionism poses to the world economy. This reveals a much deeper problem within the Indonesian economy. Investors are growing uneasy not just due to global uncertainty, but also because the Prabowo administration's policy choices are straying away from macro and fiscal prudence, a principle that has supported Indonesia's stable growth for the past two decades.

Dual leadership? The Prabowo-Jokowi alliance is just getting more toxic

,
As a politician steeped in Javanese statecraft and power plays, Jokowi clearly has little appetite for a direct confrontation. But this does not make him any less assertive than Prabowo.

Why Indonesia’s free meal program must be more than a headcount

,
While the purpose of the program deserves applause, its implementation has raised many questions. Is it accountable? More importantly, is it making a difference?

Talking Indonesia: a growing protest movement

On 28 March 2025, in downtime Jakarta across from the Sarinah department store, an unlikely group of protesters gathered holding signs and making speeches. The crowd largely consisted of middleclass women of various ages, gathered under the name ‘Suara Ibu Indonesia’ (Voices of Indonesian Mothers). For the organisers, the choice of name and location for their protest was deliberately designed to evoke a moment in Indonesia’s past, now 27 years ago.

Why Indonesia needs to negotiate with Trump on tariffs - but brace for the worst

,
There are at least four reasons why Jakarta cannot afford to engage in a protracted trade war with Washington.

Prabowo’s inner circle is dominated by young, groupthink-prone loyalists. What could go wrong?  

,
These individuals often accompany the president from his residence in Hambalang, West Java, to the State Palace in Jakarta. They travel with him, join official state visits, and take part in both small and large cabinet meetings.

Indonesia’s palm oil win against EU: a triumph for the Global South and climate justice?  

, ,
The palm oil dispute between Indonesia and the EU is certainly about trade, but it is more than that; it is also about setting rules, valuing voices, and defining global sustainability.

Talking Indonesia: archaeology and reading bones

Bones can tell us so much about the past, not just about the ancestry of modern humans (or homo sapiens) but also about the people and cultures of times long forgotten.
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TALKING INDONESIA PODCASTSee all


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Elite machinations pose major challenge to Golkar’s future

19 August 2024/by Arya Fernandes, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/arya/

Jokowi’s power consolidation: navigating post-election politics

26 March 2024/by A Syahsam Dwi Ihza Muhammad Trisnowidodo, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/syahsam-trisnowidodo/, Januar Aditya Pratama, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/januar-aditya-pratama/

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

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated.

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