TALKING INDONESIA PODCASTSee all


The fear of communism still haunts Indonesia

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Last week, pressure from mass organisations forced the cancellation and relocation of the Belok Kiri Fest, a cultural event that aimed to challenge dominant discourses of Indonesian history. Dr Ken Setiawan writes that the incident is the latest example of the ongoing repression of alternative discourses on leftism and the events of 1965 in democratic Indonesia.

Visions for Bandung: balancing urban dreams and socio-spatial realities

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Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil has big plans for Bandung. But these plans are coming up against the informality that has shaped the city's development over many years. Anna Rowe and Amy Wu suggest an alternative approach that values informality and will ensure that all citizens – not just the middle class – can benefit from development.

Bima Arya and Hizbut Tahrir's grand plan

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Indonesians were stunned earlier this month after a photo emerged of Bogor Mayor Bima Arya opening the new office of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), an organisation that openly rejects democracy and the Indonesian state. Burhanuddin Muhtadi looks at the movement and its strategy to revive a transnational Islamic caliphate.

Islam Nusantara: a local Islam with global ambitions?

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Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), is promoting Islam Nusantara — its vision of an inclusive and peaceful Islam — as a counterweight to violent extremism. What exactly is meant by the concept? And what can Islam Nusantara offer the broader Muslim world? Dr Nadirsyah Hosen examines the movement.

Talking Indonesia: visual art and social change

,
It is often assumed that Indonesian visual artists began highlighting social and political issues in earnest following the end of authoritarianism in 1998. But to what extent is this assumption correct? In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Ken Setiawan explores this issue and more with Dr Wulan Dirgantoro from Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore.

A challenge from below? Social movements against oligarchy

, ,
Previous attempts by the Indonesian left to move into politics have not met with much success. Iqra Anugrah looks at the Confederation of Indonesian People's Movements (KPRI), an emerging alliance that is now making preparations to participate in elections in 2017 and 2019. Will it be able to make an impact where others have struggled?

Indonesia under pressure over female genital cutting

, ,
Many were shocked on 6 February when Unicef reported that an estimated 60 million Indonesian women and girls have undergone genital cutting. Dr Dina Afrianty writes that although some Indonesians believe female circumcision is an important expression of religious identity, theological justification for the practice is weak.

Talking Indonesia: religious intolerance

,
Following the recent attack on the Gafatar community, and efforts to evict Ahmadiyah followers from Bangka Island, religious intolerance is once again in the spotlight. What are the drivers of intolerance, and what forms does it take? Is President Joko Widodo doing any better than his predecessor at managing the issue? Dr Dave McRae explores these questions with Ihsan Ali-Fauzi in the latest Talking Indonesia podcast.

Revoking citizenship to fight terrorism is misguided and reckless

, ,
On Indonesia at Melbourne last week, Bhatara Ibnu Reza warned against revising anti-terror legislation to provide police or intelligence officials with greater powers. Christian Donny Putranto writes that the proposal to strip the citizenship of individuals suspected of fighting with terrorist groups is just as dangerous.

The fear of communism still haunts Indonesia

,
Last week, pressure from mass organisations forced the cancellation and relocation of the Belok Kiri Fest, a cultural event that aimed to challenge dominant discourses of Indonesian history. Dr Ken Setiawan writes that the incident is the latest example of the ongoing repression of alternative discourses on leftism and the events of 1965 in democratic Indonesia.

Visions for Bandung: balancing urban dreams and socio-spatial realities

,
Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil has big plans for Bandung. But these plans are coming up against the informality that has shaped the city's development over many years. Anna Rowe and Amy Wu suggest an alternative approach that values informality and will ensure that all citizens – not just the middle class – can benefit from development.

Bima Arya and Hizbut Tahrir's grand plan

, ,
Indonesians were stunned earlier this month after a photo emerged of Bogor Mayor Bima Arya opening the new office of Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI), an organisation that openly rejects democracy and the Indonesian state. Burhanuddin Muhtadi looks at the movement and its strategy to revive a transnational Islamic caliphate.

Islam Nusantara: a local Islam with global ambitions?

,
Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisation, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), is promoting Islam Nusantara — its vision of an inclusive and peaceful Islam — as a counterweight to violent extremism. What exactly is meant by the concept? And what can Islam Nusantara offer the broader Muslim world? Dr Nadirsyah Hosen examines the movement.

Talking Indonesia: visual art and social change

,
It is often assumed that Indonesian visual artists began highlighting social and political issues in earnest following the end of authoritarianism in 1998. But to what extent is this assumption correct? In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Ken Setiawan explores this issue and more with Dr Wulan Dirgantoro from Lasalle College of the Arts in Singapore.

A challenge from below? Social movements against oligarchy

, ,
Previous attempts by the Indonesian left to move into politics have not met with much success. Iqra Anugrah looks at the Confederation of Indonesian People's Movements (KPRI), an emerging alliance that is now making preparations to participate in elections in 2017 and 2019. Will it be able to make an impact where others have struggled?

Indonesia under pressure over female genital cutting

, ,
Many were shocked on 6 February when Unicef reported that an estimated 60 million Indonesian women and girls have undergone genital cutting. Dr Dina Afrianty writes that although some Indonesians believe female circumcision is an important expression of religious identity, theological justification for the practice is weak.

Talking Indonesia: religious intolerance

,
Following the recent attack on the Gafatar community, and efforts to evict Ahmadiyah followers from Bangka Island, religious intolerance is once again in the spotlight. What are the drivers of intolerance, and what forms does it take? Is President Joko Widodo doing any better than his predecessor at managing the issue? Dr Dave McRae explores these questions with Ihsan Ali-Fauzi in the latest Talking Indonesia podcast.

Revoking citizenship to fight terrorism is misguided and reckless

, ,
On Indonesia at Melbourne last week, Bhatara Ibnu Reza warned against revising anti-terror legislation to provide police or intelligence officials with greater powers. Christian Donny Putranto writes that the proposal to strip the citizenship of individuals suspected of fighting with terrorist groups is just as dangerous.
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TALKING INDONESIA PODCASTSee all


2024 ELECTIONSSee all

Jokowi’s power consolidation: navigating post-election politics

26 March 2024/by A Syahsam Dwi Ihza Muhammad Trisnowidodo, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/syahsam-trisnowidodo/, Januar Aditya Pratama, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/januar-aditya-pratama/

These three parties could shape the future of political opposition in Indonesia

22 February 2024/by Yohanes Sulaiman, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/yohanes-sulaiman/

Prabowo victory secures Jokowi’s legacy

20 February 2024/by Virdika Rizky Utama, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/virdika-rizky-utama/

Talking Indonesia: election special

16 February 2024/by Elisabeth Kramer, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/lis/, Jemma Purdey, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/jemma/, Tito Ambyo, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/tito/, Jacqui Baker, https://indonesiaatmelbourne.unimelb.edu.au/author/jacqui/

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: Aron Corbett

Editorial board: 
Professor Tim Lindsey
Dr Tim Mann

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
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