TALKING INDONESIA PODCASTSee all


Talking Indonesia: whither the death penalty?

, ,
What are the prospects for abolition or reduction in the use of the death penalty in the remainder of President Joko Widodo's time in office? Dr Dave McRae explores these issues with Bali Nine lawyer Professor Todung Mulya Lubis in the latest Talking Indonesia podcast.

Remembering 1965 across generations

, ,
Fifty years after the beginning of the 1965 violence, many children and grandchildren of those targeted also continue to feel its impact. Dr Kate McGregor examines two cultural memory projects that involve collaboration across generations and aim to crack the resilience of anti-communist versions of history.

Is reconciliation possible without an apology?

,
Wednesday will mark 50 years since the events that triggered the brutal repression of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and its alleged sympathisers. Ken Setiawan writes that while political elites appear to be able to stomach the idea of reconciliation, an apology is far more contested.

Are Minangkabau women really not into politics?

, ,
The Minangkabau of West Sumatra are considered the world's largest matrilineal society. But despite the apparent high status of women in the province, there is just one woman among the 74 candidates for leadership positions in regional elections scheduled for 9 December. Minangkabau woman Dina Afrianty reports from West Sumatra.

Thank God he's not Abbott: Indonesia greets Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull’s replacement of Tony Abbott as prime minister of Australia did not make the front pages of any of Indonesia's main papers last week. But as Agus Salim and Tim Mann write, it was clear that Indonesians will not be shedding any tears over Abbott’s downfall.

Talking Indonesia: Chinese Indonesians and China's rise

In the midst of growing anti-foreign sentiment in Indonesia, how do Chinese Indonesians perceive China’s rise, and how does it affect their position in Indonesian society? Dr Dave McRae explores these questions and more with Dr Charlotte Setijadi in Talking Indonesia.

Sexuality, censorship and dangdut

,
A gay web series last week provoked the ire of at least one lawmaker, who called for it to be blocked and its makers dealt with in the courts. As Hendri Yulius writes, the episode was just another example of the government's double standard in its approach to issues of sexuality.

Jokowi's risky anti-foreign rhetoric

During his first year in power, President Joko Widodo and several of his officials have invoked the spectre of foreigners seeking to interfere in Indonesian affairs. As Dr Robertus Robet writes, history shows that this is a strategy that bears considerable risks.

Talking Indonesia: Australian scholarships

, ,
About 18,000 Indonesians have studied in Australia on government-funded scholarships since the 1940s. What has the impact of these scholarships been, for the students themselves, for Indonesia and Australia? Dr Dave McRae explores this question with Dr Jemma Purdey, who has recently completed a study on the issue.

Talking Indonesia: whither the death penalty?

, ,
What are the prospects for abolition or reduction in the use of the death penalty in the remainder of President Joko Widodo's time in office? Dr Dave McRae explores these issues with Bali Nine lawyer Professor Todung Mulya Lubis in the latest Talking Indonesia podcast.

Remembering 1965 across generations

, ,
Fifty years after the beginning of the 1965 violence, many children and grandchildren of those targeted also continue to feel its impact. Dr Kate McGregor examines two cultural memory projects that involve collaboration across generations and aim to crack the resilience of anti-communist versions of history.

Is reconciliation possible without an apology?

,
Wednesday will mark 50 years since the events that triggered the brutal repression of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) and its alleged sympathisers. Ken Setiawan writes that while political elites appear to be able to stomach the idea of reconciliation, an apology is far more contested.

Are Minangkabau women really not into politics?

, ,
The Minangkabau of West Sumatra are considered the world's largest matrilineal society. But despite the apparent high status of women in the province, there is just one woman among the 74 candidates for leadership positions in regional elections scheduled for 9 December. Minangkabau woman Dina Afrianty reports from West Sumatra.

Thank God he's not Abbott: Indonesia greets Turnbull

Malcolm Turnbull’s replacement of Tony Abbott as prime minister of Australia did not make the front pages of any of Indonesia's main papers last week. But as Agus Salim and Tim Mann write, it was clear that Indonesians will not be shedding any tears over Abbott’s downfall.

Talking Indonesia: Chinese Indonesians and China's rise

In the midst of growing anti-foreign sentiment in Indonesia, how do Chinese Indonesians perceive China’s rise, and how does it affect their position in Indonesian society? Dr Dave McRae explores these questions and more with Dr Charlotte Setijadi in Talking Indonesia.

Sexuality, censorship and dangdut

,
A gay web series last week provoked the ire of at least one lawmaker, who called for it to be blocked and its makers dealt with in the courts. As Hendri Yulius writes, the episode was just another example of the government's double standard in its approach to issues of sexuality.

Jokowi's risky anti-foreign rhetoric

During his first year in power, President Joko Widodo and several of his officials have invoked the spectre of foreigners seeking to interfere in Indonesian affairs. As Dr Robertus Robet writes, history shows that this is a strategy that bears considerable risks.

Talking Indonesia: Australian scholarships

, ,
About 18,000 Indonesians have studied in Australia on government-funded scholarships since the 1940s. What has the impact of these scholarships been, for the students themselves, for Indonesia and Australia? Dr Dave McRae explores this question with Dr Jemma Purdey, who has recently completed a study on the issue.
NEWS & EVENTS

TALKING INDONESIA PODCASTSee all


EDITOR’S PICKSSee all

Prabowo’s foreign stooge myth: Are Indonesians buying it?

26 May 2026/by Djayadi Hanan, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/djayadi/, Yoes C Kenawas, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/yoes/

Indonesia’s social media ban for under-16s deprives many children of their only public space

19 May 2026/by Pradipa P. Rasidi, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/adip/

The new KUHAP: more kinds of evidence, fewer limits (Part 1 of 2)

12 May 2026/by Simon Butt, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/simon-butt/

Loyalty over expertise: The patronage problem at the heart of Prabowo’s foreign policy

21 April 2026/by Ahmad Syarif Syechbubakr, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/syarif/

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.

Phone:13 MELB (13 6352) | International: +(61 3) 9035 5511
The University of Melbourne ABN:84 002 705 224
CRICOS Provider Code:00116K (visa information)

Disclaimer & copyright
Accessibility
Privacy