Posts with tag: Politics

Indonesian civil society shows resilience in the face of ‘activist hunt’ crackdown

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The ongoing ‘activist hunt’ is a part of an alarming pattern of growing pressure against civil society in Indonesia. It is part of the larger trend of democratic regression and the shrinking of civic space in Indonesia that seems to have accelerated after Prabowo’s rise to power.

Melbourne Bergerak: assertive long distance nationalism and the rise of oppositional activism

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Diaspora attitudes changed dramatically on the night of 28 August. The killing of Affan Kurniawan—a 21-year old Gojek driver—by an armoured police car was captured in multiple viral videos. It shook many Indonesians to the core.

Old playbook: ‘foreign agent’ narrative invoked to deligitimise Indonesian mass protests

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To counter the government’s foreign agent narrative, civil society organisations (CSOs) need to respond in a strategic manner. First, they should make transparency a top priority by making public the sources of their funding and allowing their activities to be checked by independent groups. This will preempt allegations of foreign influence. For example, CSO involved in past demonstrations, such as the 2019 protests, should publish verified donation reports.

#KaburAjaDulu and the urge to resist, in whatever form, from whatever place

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In a time when authoritarianism is on the rise globally, it is perhaps understandable to wish for bigger, louder, more forceful forms of resistance. But the truth is, in a country still in the hands of oligarchic elites, and lacking any potent, organised opposition, even the most massive demonstrations can only achieve, at best, temporary wins.

Talking Indonesia: digital populism

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In a time when Indonesian democracy is under threat and protestors against the government are become more and more frustrated, does the internet in Indonesia still have the potential to be a force for good?

The limits of regional autonomy: Jember DPRD takes aim at popular district head

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The impeachment of Jember’s district head reveals constraints in the power of local heads lead policy, write CWI researchers Yolanda Pandjaitan and Roni.

Proposed changes to election law threaten women, diversity in politics

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Revisions to raise the legislative threshold risk concentrating power in the hands of a few, stifling representation of women and other minorities, write CWI’s Heru Samosir and Dirga Ardiansa.

The danger of rejecting democracy for the sake of economic growth

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As observers warn of Indonesia’s democratic retreat, Dr Robertus Robet questions the growing belief that authoritarianism is a shortcut to development

When is a tadpole like a bat? The riddle of Indonesia’s vanishing political divide

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As former arch-rivals Jokowi and Prabowo team up, Airlangga Pribadi Kusman asks how different their positions were to begin with.

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

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Date created: 1 July 2015

Editor: Ary Hermawan

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Professor Tim Lindsey
Dr Tim Mann
Aron Corbett

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