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
Essay: Seeking solace in the midst of COVID-19
Sep 25, 2020 - SEBASTIAN PARTOGI
Book clubs and creative communities have headed online where they provide Jakartans with vital connections and solace during the pandemic
A 150-year old obstacle to land rights
Sep 18, 2020 - AHMAD DHIAULHAQ & WARD BERENSCHOT
The Dutch colonialists adopted the concept of domein verklaring (domain declaration) to claim control over a large part of Indonesia’s land. This act lives on in modern-day Indonesia, causing conflict...
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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