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
Fiction: Pasung
Nov 22, 2019 - MAYESTICA DE JONG
His gaze is fixated on an indeterminate spot behind me, his arms hang loosely by his sides. Wearing nothing but a pair of faded black shorts, his ribs and collar...
Contraception at a crossroads
Nov 11, 2019 - LOUISA-ANNE BUWALDA
Indonesia’s 50-year-old family planning program has been a great success but is struggling to adapt with women’s needs
Hunger and culture in West Papua
Oct 30, 2019 - SOPHIE CHAO
Oil palm projects are causing hunger in Merauke, both literal and symbolic
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A selection of stories from the Indonesian classics and modern writers, periodically published free for Inside Indonesia readers, courtesy of Lontar