Religious freedom, harmony or moderation? Government attempts to manage diversity
Law, Religion, Society, Top StoriesThe government has recently promoted the concept of 'religious moderation' in its attempts to manage religious diversity in Indonesia. But there are several problems with the approach.
Constitutional amendment: why now?
Law, Politics, Top StoriesPolitical elites are pushing to amend the 1945 Indonesian Constitution again, despite the far more pressing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and a complete absence of public demand for change.
Luhut reporting activists for defamation is another blow to freedom of expression
Human Rights, LawLuhut Binsar Pandjaitan's report against human rights activists Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti is the latest case in a worrying trend where public officials have weaponised defamation provisions to silence critics.
Academic freedom: another victim of the ITE law?
Education, Human Rights, Law, Top StoriesThe sentencing of Syiah Kuala University lecturer Saiful Mahdi for defamation is another devastating blow to academic freedom, and freedom of expression more broadly, in Indonesia.
Obesity worsens Covid-19. It’s time for Indonesia to get serious about tackling it.
Covid-19, Law, Public health, Top StoriesThe pandemic represents an opportunity for the government to address obesity more seriously and introduce legislation to curb access to unhealthy food and beverages.
Talking Indonesia: the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)
Corruption, Law, Talking IndonesiaHow have the amendments to the Law on the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) affected the agency's ability to investigate corruption cases? What lies ahead for anti-corruption efforts in Indonesia? Dr Dave McRae chats to Dr Ahmad Khoirul Umam in Talking Indonesia.
Mural controversies expose the poor health of Indonesian democracy
Arts, Human Rights, Law, Top StoriesThe repressive police response to three murals criticising the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic is just another sign of the rapidly declining health of Indonesian democracy.
Does Indonesia really need a land bank?
Analysis, Corruption, Environment, Infrastructure, Law, Natural Resources, Policies, Urban planningPlans for a new national land bank need to consider how the institution would meet the government’s goals – and benefit the people.
A solution to conflict over houses of worship at last?
Human Rights, Law, Policies, Politics, ReligionConflicts over houses of worship are caused in part by a problematic legal framework – this may be about to change