Top Stories

What have been the main advances in the rights of sexual and gender minorities since 1998? What are the main threats to these gains, and where are they coming from? Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Dede Oetomo in the latest episode of the Talking Indonesia podcast.

With Joko Widodo’s inauguration ceremony for his second term just days away, Dr Dirk Tomsa looks at the health of the polling industry following the highly polarised 2019 elections.

While the draft revised criminal code was widely criticised for its potential to lead to over-criminalisation, M Doddy Kusadrianto writes that it also contained progressive approaches to sentencing that could have helped tackle prison overcrowding.

On 9 October, a schizophrenic woman who brought her dog into a mosque will face trial for alleged blasphemy. Lawyer Barita Lumbanbatu takes a closer look at the case.

How does the government justify the increasing restrictions on freedom of expression that have occurred under President Joko Widodo? How do human rights activists respond? Dr Dirk Tomsa chats to Dr Ken Setiawan in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

How will Indonesia change as the digital economy expands? And what role will government and the private sector play in this transformation? Dr Dave McRae chats to Putri Alam from Google Indonesia in Talking Indonesia.

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.

Dr Robertus Robet writes that a focus on personalities in Indonesian politics has led to institutional issues and historical economical and political power structures being ignored.

Will the government be able to pull off its plan to move the capital to East Kalimantan? What are the potential social, economic and environmental impacts? Dr Charlotte Setijadi speaks to Dr Martin Siyaranamual and Dr Rita Padawangi in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

National legislators have finally made good on their threats to weaken the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Professor Simon Butt examines the key provisions in the revised KPK Law.

Bahasa Indonesia is the mother tongue of less than 10 per cent of the Indonesian population. Senza Arsendy makes the case for greater use of local languages in the education of young students.

As Indonesia’s population ages, researchers are looking into better evidence-based policies for the elderly. Riska Dwi Astuti shares findings from an ‘elderly- and dementia-friendly community’ in Bali.

Dr Richard Chauvel writes that exposure of racism towards Papuans has prompted a shift in the discourse about the acceptance of Papuans in Indonesia.

How can Indonesia wean itself off coal and protect its electricity supply at the same time? What are the prospects for renewables, which currently only make up 7 per cent of Indonesia’s energy mix? Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Emanuel Bria in the latest episode of Talking Indonesia.

Anugerah Rizki Akbari takes a look at the latest draft of the problematic new criminal code, which the legislature aims to pass later this month.