Posted in: Politics

From bad to worse: Digital populism may send Indonesia’s local media into oblivion  

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Now that local politicians like KDM are reducing their reliance on the mainstream media, legacy local media’s future existence looks increasingly bleak.

Talking Indonesia: Dirty Vote II o3

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In this week's episode, Dr Jacqui Baker talks to 'Dirty Vote' presenter Dr Zainal Arifin Mochtar about the sequel of the 2024 documentary film that attracted more than 6 million viewers in the first two days of release.

Of heroes and villains: Prabowo’s playbook for power and historical revisionism 

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By elevating figures like Soeharto, the government legitimises past authoritarian rule and normalises such practices in the present, thereby strengthening the current president’s grip on power. This strategy allows the government to consolidate authority while sidestepping accountability.

Indonesian civil society shows resilience in the face of ‘activist hunt’ crackdown

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The ongoing ‘activist hunt’ is a part of an alarming pattern of growing pressure against civil society in Indonesia. It is part of the larger trend of democratic regression and the shrinking of civic space in Indonesia that seems to have accelerated after Prabowo’s rise to power.

Melbourne Bergerak: assertive long distance nationalism and the rise of oppositional activism

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Diaspora attitudes changed dramatically on the night of 28 August. The killing of Affan Kurniawan—a 21-year old Gojek driver—by an armoured police car was captured in multiple viral videos. It shook many Indonesians to the core.

Groups involved in Indonesia’s August protests: why and how they engaged in violence

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A key concern from the recent Indonesian riots is the targeting of private residences of legislators and technocrats—an emerging development. Historically, rioters focused on commercial areas, malls, and vehicles. Yet, influenced by Nepal’s example circulating on Indonesian social media, protesters have shifted toward attacking the homes of politicians and officials. While provocateurs may be orchestrating this trend, the normalization of such targets risks making attacks on private residences a spontaneous feature of future unrest.

Old playbook: ‘foreign agent’ narrative invoked to deligitimise Indonesian mass protests

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To counter the government’s foreign agent narrative, civil society organisations (CSOs) need to respond in a strategic manner. First, they should make transparency a top priority by making public the sources of their funding and allowing their activities to be checked by independent groups. This will preempt allegations of foreign influence. For example, CSO involved in past demonstrations, such as the 2019 protests, should publish verified donation reports.

Talking Indonesia: overseas responses to Indonesia's protests

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In today's special episode, Elisabeth Kramer talks to organisers behind Aliansi Gusar, a grassroots based organisation concerned with justice and equality in Indonesia. They share their thoughts and experiences regarding the current protests and organising around ongoing issues in Indonesia.

Talking Indonesia: Indonesia's new protest movements

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Ibu Ana, a housewife in Jakarta, caught the national mood when she was photographed in the rain in thongs and a pink headscarf, facing down a cordon of heavily armed police officers with the Indonesian flag on a bamboo pole. Who are these protestors? How did they mobilise so fast? What do they want and how will they achieve it?

Indonesia at Melbourne is supported by:

Melbourne Law School Asia Institute Centre for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society Indonesia Forum Faculty of Arts Indonesia Democracy Hallmark Research Initiative

Indonesia at Melbourne

Room 726, Level 7, 185 Pelham St,
The University of Melbourne
Parkville 3010 VIC Australia

Phone: +61 3 83448581

Email:  indo-at-melb@unimelb.edu.au

Date created: 1 July 2015

Editor: Ary Hermawan

Editorial board: 
Professor Tim Lindsey
Dr Tim Mann
Aron Corbett

We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Owners of the lands upon which our campuses are situated.

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