Society - Indonesia at Melbourne

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

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?

2024 year-end review: Winter is coming for Indonesia’s civil society forces

Analysis, Politics, Review, Society

If what transpired in 2024 is any indication of what to come, we can safely say that 2025 will not be a democratic spring for Indonesia.

Talking Indonesia: revitalising Dutch colonial spaces

History, Interview, Society, Talking Indonesia

In this episode, Tito Ambyo speaks with Remco Vermeulen, a PhD candidate at Erasmus University Rotterdam and coordinator of international cooperation in collection management at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands.

Why the Brazil vs. Elon Musk saga is a red flag for Indonesia’s digital activists

Media, Politics, Society

The Brazil-Musk conflict should be a wake-up call for Indonesian digital activists. The risk of X being blocked is real, and it highlights the fragility of relying on a single, privately owned platform.

Talking Indonesia: starting a startup

Economy, Society, Talking Indonesia

In this podcast, Elisabeth Kramer talks to entrepreneur Sujeet Ramgir, who came to Indonesia from India and went on to start a highly successful Indian food 'cloud kitchen' catering to the Jakarta market.

Beyond religious tolerance: What the Pope’s visit really means for Indonesia

Environment, Religion, Society

There is debate about Pope Francis’ stance in many different areas, and criticisms too. But, so far, he has been a pope who very clearly emphasises social justice and environmental sustainability as means of caring for the poor in his messages.

‘Information warriors’ must uphold information integrity in Indonesia

Education, Media, Society

Indonesia urgently needs a clear strategy to respond to the United Nations’ most recent warning about the dangers of ‘information ecosystems’ losing their integrity.

Religious coal rush: Why do Indonesian Muslim leaders accept coal mining concessions?

Analysis, Policies, Religion, Society

Elites within NU and Muhammadiyah have faced criticism from their members for accepting the coal mining concessions, and a new ideological battle has opened up between progressive and conservative elements in the two organisations.

Indonesia's gig workers are living precariously. Can we fix the platform economy?

Economy, Society

The Indonesian gig economy has the potential to be a win-win for both workers and companies, but only if it's built on a foundation of fairness and dignity. Law reform, gig cooperatives and gig unions offer a path towards achieving this balance.

Posted in: Society