Featured Article 3 - Indonesia at Melbourne

Prabowo’s ‘fat’ and accommodating cabinet

On the evening of October 20, President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia revealed his first cabinet after officially taking office that day, succeeding Joko "Jokowi" Widodo. It is the largest cabinet Indonesia has had since 1966.

It takes two to tango: Why dynastic politics is on the rise in Indonesia

Analysis, Elections, Politics

It is suggested here that the emergence of political dynasties, including Jokowi’s, has been facilitated by Indonesian voters’ indifferent, if not even supportive, attitude towards dynastic politics.

From man of the people to elite dynasty builder: Indonesia at Melbourne looks back at Jokowi’s 10 years in power

Review

We look back at the critical moments in Jokowi’s presidency through some of the articles written by our authors to make sense of what seems to be an inglorious end to his 10 years in power.

Jokowi’s 10-year presidency: a tragedy for Indonesia’s democracy?

Analysis

For some, Jokowi’s biggest legacy may be the greater economic prosperity he promoted. For others it may be Nusantara, the new capital city project in East Kalimantan that he launched. But his longest lasting legacy may be the damage he has done to democracy.

Talking Indonesia: the history of corruption in Indonesia

Corruption, Talking Indonesia

Corruption in Indonesia is widely acknowledged to be a complex issue and deeply entrenched in Indonesian culture. However, this overlooks the generally accepted notion among historians that corruption in Indonesia and other post-colonial nations is, at least partially, rooted in colonialism and the abuses of power and wealth during that period.

From barracks to Monas: TNI’s grandiose return to political centre stage

Analysis, Politics, Security

On 5 October 2024, the Indonesian National Military (TNI) celebrated its 79th anniversary with great fanfare at the National Monument (Monas) complex in Central Jakarta. Thousands of civilian onlookers flocked to see the ceremony, which received widespread media attention. Soldiers and military equipment moved down major thoroughfares towards the iconic monument during the city’s weekly car free day. Up to 100,000 military personnel took part in the event.

Obituary: Romo Benny, Indonesia’s meddlesome priest, dies at 55

Obituary, Religion

“Religion is being used as an instrument of power in Indonesia, manipulated by the State and big business. Politicians are continuing to use religion for their own ends and consequently risking harmony.” The words are those of Antonius Benny Susetyo, best known as Romo (Father) Benny and probably the most recognisable Catholic priest in Muslim-majority Indonesia.

For Prabowo, Gibran’s online past is less of a problem than his offline future

Analysis, Elections, Politics

A troll social media account under the name of Fufufafa in Indonesia’s oldest chat forum, Kaskus, has sparked speculation about the relationship dynamics between president-elect Prabowo Subianto and vice president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka, the eldest son of outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

Expect the expected: Prabowo to continue military domination of the defence sector

Analysis, Security

As a former army general who now serves as defence minister under President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, president-elect Prabowo Subianto is expected to further marginalise civilian politicians in the country’s defence sector.

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