Election politics
Chaos and consolidation
The April 2009 legislative polls exposed weaknesses in Indonesia’s electoral management, but the results will help to strengthen the democratic polity
The eagle has crash-landed
Despite an unprecedented media campaign, Prabowo Subianto’s political comeback has fallen flat – for now
Down but not out
Islamic political parties did not do well, but Islamic politics are going mainstream
Dominant but weak
Signs of underlying fragility in nationalist parties may benefit Islamic parties in future elections
Symbols and signs
Photo-essay: PKS is often depicted as radical Islamist, but its members show evidence of ideological diversity
Seeking representation
Activists in Palu remain confined to the political margins
Feeling cheated, acting apathetic
Many Indonesian students face obstacles voting, but they aren’t much interested anyway
Suicide and progress in modern Nusantara
While it’s tragic that some candidates kill themselves after Indonesian elections, at least they aren’t killing each other
Not just an elite game
In Bali, it’s neither policy, parties nor entrenched elites, but image-savvy politicians and an all-powerful media that are dominating the new electoral landscape
Latest Articles
A generation of resistance
Jun 26, 2020 - IVO MATEUS GONCALVES
East Timor’s student movement and the struggle against oppression
Essay: Celebrating Imlek, Catholic style
Jun 22, 2020 - JOSH STENBERG
Practices such as Imlek masses are a welcome example of tolerance and plurality
West Papua and Black Lives Matter
Jun 17, 2020 - SOPHIE CHAO
A movement seeking justice, healing, and freedom for Black people has become a powerful rallying call for Indigenous West Papuans
Artists seek assistance
Jun 14, 2020 - RAHMADI FAJAR HIMAWAN
Javanese traditional musicians are among the many artists and performers struggling to survive, or qualify for government payments under COVID restrictions
A house of cards?
Jun 02, 2020 - YULIDA PANGASTUTI
The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the exploitation of non-formal early childhood educators
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Lontar Modern Indonesia
A selection of stories from the Indonesian classics and modern writers, periodically published free for Inside Indonesia readers, courtesy of Lontar