Talking Indonesia: farming Indonesia with Rebecca Meckelburg
Analysis, Environment, Policy in Focus, Talking IndonesiaIn this week’s episode, Dr Jacqui Baker chats with Dr Rebecca Meckelburg, a research fellow at the Institute of International Studies at Gadjah Mada University, to better understand how big state projects for agricultural transformation impact the lives of ordinary rural communities.
What does the military’s new regional command structure mean for Indonesia?
Policy in Focus, PoliticsIn late February, the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) Commander-General, Agus Subiyanto, announced an intention to establish a military presence in each province by more than doubling the number of Kodams from 15 to 37. The move signals a concerning shift toward the reinvigoration of the military's dual function (Dwifungsi), a relic of the authoritarian New Order regime.
Prabowo’s new cabinet: no room for technocrats?
Policy in Focus, PoliticsPolitical attention is now shifting to the transition from outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to Prabowo with an unofficial list of the new president’s cabinet leaked on social media two weeks ago. Most interestingly, however, the leaked cabinet list and subsequent international news reports, only include very few names who could be identified as technocrats
No such thing as a free lunch: counting the cost of Prabowo’s ‘free food’ program
Economy, Policy in Focus, Public healthUnofficial counts from Indonesia’s presidential election on 14 February suggest a comfortable victory for Prabowo Subianto. He brought a populist policy agenda to the table that appealed to Indonesia’s poor voters. Free food or makan gratis became a flagship program that Prabowo repeatedly promoted throughout the campaign. But just how feasible is this program?
Grading Nadiem’s education reforms
Education, Policy in FocusIn 2019, President Widodo appointed Nadiem Makarim, the US-educated founder of Gojek, as the Minister of Education. Four years later, the Indonesian education system looks – at least at a surface level – unrecognisable from the president’s first term. But have Nadiem’s reforms been effective? And what lays ahead for Indonesia’s next education minister?
Unpacking Indonesia’s Just Energy Transition Roadmap
Economy, Environment, Policy in FocusAs part of its obligations under the Just Energy Transition Partnership, Indonesia released a Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan that details a roadmap for reaching peak emissions in 2030 and becoming net zero by 2050. It was written with an eye toward making Indonesia’s renewable energy sector more attractive to private capital. But is it politically feasible?
A ‘golden Indonesia’ will need to embrace meritocracy
2024 Indonesian Elections, Policy in Focus, SocietyThe topic of meritocracy has been thrust into the spotlight again since the controversy surrounding the appointment of Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s eldest son, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, as the running mate of presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto. If Indonesia wants to be a developed nation by 2045, it needs to get rid of nepotism and adopt the meritocratic systems of many developed nations.
What’s in a name? Terminology for Christian holidays in the spotlight
Policy in Focus, ReligionOn 12 September Muhadjir Effendy, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, announced a change in nomenclature for Christian national holidays. The decision was made to adopt the term “Yesus Kristus”, the name of Jesus Christ used by Indonesian Christians, instead of “Isa al-Masih”, the Arabic term used for Jesus in the Qur’an. Although intended to protect Indonesia’s diverse religious traditions, the policy change reflects how easily religious policies can become a point of contestation among Indonesia’s religiously diverse communities.
Wrecked? Belitung, Indonesia and the politics of maritime heritage
History, Natural Resources, Policy in FocusIn mid-1998, as President Suharto’s regime crumbled, local fishers discovered a 9th century shipwreck in waters near Belitung Island. The Belitung shipwreck was one of the most significant – and controversial – maritime discoveries of recent times.