Policies - Indonesia at Melbourne

‘Allergic to protests’: Indonesian press face fresh challenges under Prabowo

This chilly new media climate clearly adds to the myriad of problems already facing the Indonesian media. These range from extreme concentration of media ownership to various forms of elite cooptation.

#KaburAjaDulu and the urge to resist, in whatever form, from whatever place

Personal, Policies

In a time when authoritarianism is on the rise globally, it is perhaps understandable to wish for bigger, louder, more forceful forms of resistance. But the truth is, in a country still in the hands of oligarchic elites, and lacking any potent, organised opposition, even the most massive demonstrations can only achieve, at best, temporary wins.

Danantara: It’s the politics, stupid!

Analysis, Economy, Policies

For many observers, Danantara potentially reproduces Indonesia’s predatory political economy. On this view, SOEs embody rising economic nationalism, that is state capitalism, and crowd out capital formation by private firms. Yet, digging into its board structure, it is apparent that Danantara instead reflects combined forms of capitalism – private fossil-fuel and tech, as well as state capital – that have overall benefited from Indonesia’s oligarchic politics, as well sustaining its high costs.

Big Brother is watching: Prabowo government tightens control of cyberspace with new digital monitoring agency

Analysis, Cyberspace, Policies, Security

In October, Communication and Digital (Komdigi) Minister Meutya Hafid told reporters that President Prabowo Subianto wanted to upgrade the nation’s digital oversight for security reasons. The president, the minister said, was paying special attention to digitalisation, specifically digital security, to address issues such as online gambling, predatory online lending schemes, and human trafficking.

‘Mysterious’ bamboo fence off Tangerang coast spotlights uneven urban development

Analysis, Policies, Society

The Tangerang bamboo sea fence has sparked public controversy. For weeks, the public were left in the dark over the identity of the parties responsible. Who erected this 6 meter-high sea fence in the Java Sea? And why?

Will a dedicated human rights ministry improve disability advocacy in Indonesia?

Analysis, Policies

Prabowo claimed during his campaign that human rights were a key part of his administration’s agenda, encapsulated in his “Eight Goals” or “Asta Cita”. The fifth includes initiatives aimed to develop human resources through science, technology, education, health, and sports, while also promoting gender equality, promising to enhance the roles of women and youth - and people with disability.

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

Economy, Policies

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

Analysis, Policies

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.

Why did Indonesian judges go on strike?

Law, Policies

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.

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