Indonesia

Trying out a more sophisticated measure of how religious intolerance varies across Indonesia's provinces.

Two decades after Suharto’s fall, it’s hard to see a return to dictatorship—or to declare the democratic status quo safe.

The second in a series of articles by veteran journalist Frank Palmos, reflecting on his time living and working in Indonesia in the early 1960s.

Beyond the media hype, the new Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI) isn’t much different from the conservative, oligarch-linked parties we’re used to.

A commentary on the Sufi poem of the peculiar whale, by the 16th-century Malay poet Hamzah of Barus.

A new survey shows that political parties are divided only by their attitudes on Islam.

Nearly two decades of decentralisation have shown the promise and challenges for Indonesia's civil society.

Looking at Indonesia's grassroots neighbourhood associations helps us understand the perils of aligning civil society with elite interests.

On the many meanings of Hari Kartini, Indonesia's annual celebration of its most famous colonial-era feminist thinker.

An in-depth investigation into the land deals behind the downfall of one of Indonesia's most senior judges.

Foreign correspondent and historian Frank Palmos reflects on his first translating job in Java in 1961.

The global success of a motorbike gang with roots in the Netherlands’ Indonesian community is indicative of the socioeconomic marginalisation of many Indonesian migrants.

When you’re accused of blasphemy, displays of humility and oligarchic pedigree may be the best defence.

A supposed announcement of his candidacy actually reemphasises how ambivalent Prabowo is about fighting Jokowi again.

A new book on West Sumatran 'angkot' reveals the complex tensions between tradition and modernity in contemporary Minangkabau society

SOEs are expected to do ever more for Jokowi's infrastructure push, but politics dictates they forgo revenue to offer subsidised goods. Who ends up with the bill?

Nien Yuan Cheng reflects on the film screening and lecture, "Gender, Crossdressing and Androgyny in Balinese Dance", conducted by ethnomusicologist Edward Herbst under the aegis of the Bali 1928 repatriation project.

Hamzah of Barus was the foremost Malay poet of the 16th century, whose work draws deeply from Sufi imagery and philosophy.

The MD3 saga lays bare not only the DPR's attempt to shield itself from public accountability, but the dysfunctionality of governance under Jokowi.

Welcoming the University of Sydney's Southeast Asian history bloggers to New Mandala.

Snapshots of the new socio-ecological dynamics in post-reconstruction Aceh.

What's behind a fresh panic about attacks on Islamic figures at the hands of "crazy people"?

Data suggest public opinion and civil society do influence judges. That's both good and bad for the quality of their decisions.

Indonesian law recognises both international human rights norms and 'religious values'. The latter are increasingly taking precedence.