Politics 24 - Indonesia at Melbourne

Indonesian leadership in ASEAN: running out of steam or taking a breather?

President Joko Widodo's apparent lack of interest in ASEAN is a result of his short-term and pragmatic approach to policy making, writes Randy Nandyatama. Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials have an important role to play in explaining ASEAN's relevance and its connection to his political agenda.

Conviction politics: the jailing of Ahok

Analysis, Law, Politics, Religion

The conviction for blasphemy of former Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama was not a surprise, writes Professor Tim Lindsey. What was surprising was that the judges decided to follow the usual pattern in blasphemy cases when the case before them was so very unusual.

Anti-Ahok protests: why were Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah sidelined?

Analysis, Politics, Religion

The recent protests against Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama saw groups like the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) come to the fore, while mainstream Muslim organisations Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah saw their influence wane. Ahmad Syarif Syechbubakr writes that NU and Muhammadiyah leaders need to rethink their approach.

What does the Jakarta election result mean for the women's movement?

Analysis, Gender, Politics, Religion

Many observers have suggested that the win of Anies Baswedan in the Jakarta gubernatorial election last week has set the stage for the ongoing exploitation of religious and ethnic sentiment in Indonesian politics. According to Dr Dina Afrianty, however, most post-election analyses have failed to consider what the election result means for Indonesian women.

Ahok's defeat bodes ill for the future

Analysis, Elections, Politics

Anies Baswedan will be the next governor of Jakarta, following a bitterly fought campaign against Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama. Make no mistake, Professor Tim Lindsey writes, it was the mobilisation of racial and religious hatred achieved by his enemies that led to Ahok’s defeat in this election.

A close reading of Ahok's controversial campaign video

Analysis, Politics

Incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and his running mate, Djarot Saiful Hidayat, have stirred controversy with the release of a pro-diversity campaign video that opponents have accused of being 'anti-Islam'. Dr Helen Pausacker takes a close look at the video that has Ahok's detractors so annoyed.

Talking Indonesia: volunteers and elections

Politics, Talking Indonesia

The last five years have seen the emergence of volunteer organisations as new actors in the campaigns of some of Indonesia's most important elections. Who are these volunteers, what motivates them and what role do they play in elections? Dr Dave McRae discusses these issues and more with Dr Dirk Tomsa in the latest Talking Indonesia podcast.

Charges and counter-charges threaten Indonesian democracy

Analysis, Law, Politics

The fiercely contested Jakarta gubernatorial election has given rise to a cycle of charges and counter-charges between the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) and its opponents. Abdil Mughis Mudhoffir and Rafiqa Qurrata Ayun write that this politicisation of criminal justice is doing serious damage to the rule of law.

Will religion influence voters’ choices in the Jakarta election?

Analysis, Elections, Politics, Religion

Following the massive rallies against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama over alleged blasphemy, one might assume that religion was the most important factor influencing the intended voting behaviour of Jakarta residents. But a study conducted by Nathanael Gratias Sumaktoyo demonstrates that it is not as dominant as the recent rallies suggest.

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