Politics - Indonesia at Melbourne

Indonesia’s TNI law revision: the continued rise of military politics

As President Joko Widodo's administration comes to an end, the government is once again considering revising the Indonesian National Military (TNI) Law. These developments have led to fresh questions about the government’s commitment to pursuing its security sector reform agenda.

Talking Indonesia: Dirty Vote

Politics, Talking Indonesia

The frenzied final weeks of campaigning leading up to the presidential election on 14 February were high octane and packed with promises, symbols, celebrity and cash. When the dance literally stopped, in the traditional cooling off period a few days ahead of the polls opening, a documentary film called Dirty Vote dropped on YouTube.

Proposed laws could revive Indonesia’s media oligarchy

Media, Politics, Uncategorized

The Indonesian public has been taken aback by two proposed changes to Indonesia’s media landscape. If these regulations are enacted, it will go a long way towards restoring the power of Indonesia’s traditional media oligarchs, whose influence has notably waned in the digital era.

Legislature’s parting gifts to Prabowo imperil democracy

Law, Politics

Two bills currently before the Indonesian parliament raise real concerns about the future of democracy and the rule of law in Indonesia, even before Prabowo takes office in October. If enacted, these laws remove the last real checks on the power of the presidency.

Indonesia, Israel and the OECD: What is really going on?

Foreign Policy, Politics

The recent revelation that Indonesia is considering normalising ties with Israel as part of its bid to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has surprised the international community and the Indonesian public. The Indonesian government’s actual stance remains ambiguous. However, any move to normalise relations with Israel could have major repercussions for Indonesian foreign policy and the domestic political landscape.

Is the Duterte-Marcos rift a glimpse into the future of the Jokowi-Prabowo alliance?

Foreign Policy, Politics, Uncategorized

Several pundits have drawn comparisons between the Prabowo-Widodo and Marcos-Duterte alliances. So does the recent Duterte-Marcos dispute offer lessons on the long-term viability of these power sharing arrangements? And does it expose possible fault lines to watch out for in the Indonesia context?

https://mataram.antaranews.com/berita/334581/presiden-jokowi-sebut-harga-bahan-pokok-di-pasar-sebukit-rama

Jokowi’s power consolidation: navigating post-election politics

2024 Indonesian Elections, Political parties, Politics

Concerns were raised in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election itself. Some even suggested Indonesia's 2024 election might be the election to end all elections. Now that the dust has settled on the elections, does this analysis still stand?

What does the military’s new regional command structure mean for Indonesia?

Policy in Focus, Politics

In 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?