The new Criminal Code: authoritarianism disguised as decolonisation
Law, Politics, Top StoriesDespite the government's claims about "decolonisation", the new Criminal Code in fact reintroduces the kinds of authoritarian provisions that were a key part of Dutch colonialism.
When is a tadpole like a bat? The riddle of Indonesia’s vanishing political divide
20 Years After Soeharto, 2019 Indonesian Elections, Analysis, Corruption, Elections, Environment, Politics, SocietyAs former arch-rivals Jokowi and Prabowo team up, Airlangga Pribadi Kusman asks how different their positions were to begin with.
Hoaxes and fake news: a cancer on Indonesian democracy
Analysis, Media, PoliticsFake news and hoaxes are now a ubiquitous part of the public conversation online in Indonesia. Dr Airlangga Pribadi Kusman writes that when political engagement is based on lies or manipulated data, public participation in the political process may end up harming, rather than strengthening, democracy.
Buru Island, challenging a single version of history
Analysis, Arts, ReviewOver the past few months, Rahung Nasution's film, Pulau Buru, Tanah Air Beta (Buru Island, My Homeland), has upset military officials, religious hard-liners and university authorities, who have all attempted to have screenings cancelled. Dr Airlangga Pribadi Kusman takes a look at the film that has caused such controversy.