Society - Indonesia at Melbourne

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

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.

Jakarta’s future is hidden in its kampungs

Society, Urban planning

It took the Dutch until the twentieth century to dig a banjir (flood) canal and it is only recently that another canal was dug to allow rivers to circumvent the city on the other side. Despite this, modern Jakarta still floods. So what is the long-term solution? Whatever approach is taken, part of the solution lies with locals in the kampungs. Small changes by individuals can make a big difference.

Majapahit: the most powerful empire in Asia that most people have never heard of

History, Society

There are signs that modern Indonesian is replicating some of the triumphs of the past. After a blood-soaked first encounter, the Majapahit empire found a way to come to an accommodation with the mighty emperors who ruled China.

Talking Indonesia: marriage migration and intercultural families

Migration, Society, Talking Indonesia

Asian women who are developing relationships with men from Western countries, like Australia, be it through snail mails, online sites or other means, often have to face the stereotype of the ‘subservient woman’. In her new book, anthropologist Emeritus Professor Kathryn Robinson looks at intercultural marriages between Asian women and Australian men.

K-pop and the presidential election: Anies Baswedan riding the Korean Bubble

2024 Indonesian Elections, Media, Society

Social media has become the key battle ground as candidates try to curate and amplify their image with younger voters. Nowhere is this changing online campaign landscape more evident than presidential candidate Anies Baswedan’s recent foray into K-pop fandom through the X (Twitter) account Anies Bubble.

https://ambon.antaranews.com/berita/190443/fakta-menarik-tentang-coldplay

Coldplay controversy: Islamic hardliners driving Indonesian cancel culture

Religion, Society

Religious protesters and police clashed outside the Coldplay concert at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on 16 November. Attempts to cancel public figures are becoming a common occurrence in Indonesia. But what motivates these religious hardliners leading Indonesian cancel culture?

Talking Indonesia: Indonesian student armies

History, Society

In this episode of Talking Indonesia, Tito Ambyo chats with Jonathan Tehusijarana about the history of Tentara Pelajar – student militia units – that were active during the Indonesian War of Independence and how this history still colours the Indonesian understanding of the term pemuda, meaning youth.

A ‘golden Indonesia’ will need to embrace meritocracy

2024 Indonesian Elections, Policy in Focus, Society

The 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.

https://www.antaranews.com/berita/782688/rhoma-irama-siap-meriahkan-perayaan-tahun-baru-di-monas

How will Indonesia’s dangdut stars shape the 2024 election?

2024 Indonesian Elections, Arts, Society

Since the 1970s, Indonesian politicians have used dangdut music as a tool to attract a crowd. Dangdut politics in 2024 is shaping up as a generational contest. The so-called King of Dangdut, Rhoma Irama, will be there again. But a wave of social media savvy dangdut stars will also make their mark.

Posted in: Society