Indonesian Politics

The co-existence of Indonesia’s competitive elections with illiberal trends appears contradictory but the two are in fact interrelated.

Social media companies have more control than the government of Indonesia in limiting the freedom of expression of its citizens. To what extent will they control the political discourse in Indonesia?

The make-up of Joko Widodo’s second-term cabinet confirms worrying trends.

Jokowi's priorities for his second term revolve around human resources development, but not human rights.

Bipartisanship and problems of representation in Indonesian politics.

The 2019 ANU Indonesia Update conference takes stock of Indonesian democracy.

Renewed rivalry between pluralists and Islamists coexists with catch-all patronage politics.

Some Indonesian politicians are taking on the industries which dominate politics in their regions. But can working in the system change much?

Considering whether five years of Jokowi–Prabowo competition is dividing Indonesian society.

Road building is good for the economy overall but does little to solve the congestion that plagues Indonesia’s major provinces.

Fears of intolerant Islamic movements have intensified identity politics in Christian communities in the east.

There’s little reason not to expect a comfortable win for Jokowi, but difficulties in predicting legislative election results remain.

Socially conservative female candidates are making their mark in the 2019 legislative elections.

Islamic boarding schools are ground zero for Jokowi’s efforts to win over the Muslim grassroots. Ideology and patronage are both playing a part.

Why attempts to mobilise the civil service in presidential elections aren’t likely to have much effect.

Reflections on socio-religious developments and the political role of Indonesia’s Islamic preachers appealing to the middle class.

The eastern islands showcase how national-level polarisation filters through to the grassroots, but also how the realities of decentralised power interfere with national-level political designs.

Out in the east, there is a feeling that Sulawesi has received disproportionate attention from Jokowi.

The numbers on how Indonesia stacks up in comparison to other Muslim-majority countries.

A look at the religious rhetoric contained in parliamentary candidates’ campaign platforms.

Social media may be making Indonesia seem more politically polarised than it is.

Jokowi's statist developmentalism isn't perfect, but it's a realistic response to the political economy barriers that have held up private investment in infrastructure.

Voters are grateful for development projects, but aren’t giving Jokowi a pass for his human rights failures.

Disputes that mark this pragmatic alliance should worry Islamists that Prabowo may disregard their demands.