Despite an ongoing battle for reform, corruption runs rampant in Indonesia’s civil service, writes Akhmad Misbakhul Hasan.

Join Dr Dave McRae, Dr Jemma Purdey, Dr Charlotte Setijadi and Dr Dirk Tomsa as they celebrate the Talking Indonesia podcast’s 100th episode. The co-hosts revisit some of the major themes of the first 99 episodes, and look at how these issues will affect the 2019 elections.

Jokowi’s government has spent big on infrastructure over the past five years. Akhmad Misbakhul Hasan takes a look at where the money has come from, and where some – but not all – of it has gone.

Is Indonesia’s democracy for sale? In Talking Indonesia this week, Dr Jemma Purdey chats to Dr Ward Berenschot about local election campaigns and behind the scenes machinations, and the informal networks based on patronage and identity politics that play a major role in local politics.

The number of local politicians arrested for bribery by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) over the past two years has been astonishing. Adnan Topan Husodo writes that the KPK deserves credit for its efforts but a stronger focus on bigger players in Jakarta is needed.

IndonesiaLeaks made waves recently following the release of an explosive report detailing the alleged destruction of evidence at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). What is IndonesiaLeaks? Is it connected to Wikileaks? How does it generate its reports? Eni Mulia explains.

In the first post in our new Policy in Focus series, Dr Ward Berenschot presents research looking at how common clientelism really is in Indonesia. A survey of more than 500 experts found that perceptions of clientelism varied considerably, and the character of local economies played an important role.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has taken a bold step to prevent corruption convicts from participating in future elections. Bahruddin suggests that this approach could be augmented with a strategy to shame corrupt candidates and parties on the ballot paper.

Indonesia at Melbourne will again be taking a short break over Christmas and New Year. In this final post for 2017, we look back at the analysis and commentary featured on the blog and podcast throughout the year. Thanks again for your loyal readership and support, and we look forward to seeing you again mid-January.

Ignoring protests from the public, and some of its own members, the House of Representatives (DPR) recently launched a special inquiry into the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Rifqi Assegaf explains the significance and likely impact of the contentious inquiry.

What triggered the House of Representatives (DPR) inquiry into the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK)? What are the implications for the KPK and its role in the fight against corruption? Dr Jemma Purdey explores these questions and more with Dr Deasy Simandjuntak in the latest Talking Indonesia podcast.

Following the shocking acid attack on Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) senior investigator Novel Baswedan, Professor Denny Indrayana looks at previous attempts to weaken the institution and its staff, and what must be done to ensure that it remains strong.