Jan 28, 2020 Last Updated 11:32 PM, Jan 28, 2020

Inside Indonesia

Political Parties

A parliamentary free-for-all

The DPR/MPR building

Indonesia’s political parties have lost control over the national budgeting process, as members of parliament prioritise their constituencies – and themselves.

Stories that bridge time

Detainees in Salemba prison, Jakarta 1969. Sketch by Gumelar, prisoner. (Tahun Yang Tak Pernah Berakhir, 2004)

Young researchers discover that the victims of history hold a secret every Indonesian should know

Citizenship restored

The Look of Silence. Source: Final Cut For Real

Communism continues to be a taboo in Indonesia but ‘former communists’ have finally regained their rights

The business of politics in Indonesia

Warburton 1 Prabowo and Team at Senayan Rally Credit Liam Gammon

Democratic institutions are increasingly burdened by the illicit transactions and collusive practices of politico-business elites

Strange bedfellows

Strange bedfellows

An unlikely alliance between former rebels and a former New Order tormentor will test the limits of Partai Aceh loyalty

Married with children

It runs in the family: the Limpo clan on display, Michael Buehler

The second round of direct elections for governors and district heads shows that democratisation is allowing powerful families to entrench themselves in local politics

Review: Power politics

Review: Power politics

Jeffrey Winters’ Oligarchy is an epic work of comparative political insight but has little that is new to add to the study of Indonesia’s politics

A house for all Muslims?

A house for all Muslims?

The United Development Party is determined to survive as a political force

Front stage with the PKS

Front stage with the PKS

At its upmarket congress, Indonesia’s biggest Islamic party tried but failed to convince it has become an open and inclusive party

Transcending personality politics

Transcending personality politics

The election of Anas Urbaningrum suggests Partai Demokrat can survive without its founder, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

A storm in a bank vault

A storm in a bank vault

The much publicised ‘Bank Century’ case is unlikely to do any lasting damage to SBY

Princess of populism

Princess of populism

Megawati Soekarnoputri stakes her claim to opposition, but will it be enough to stem her party's decline?

Gerindra and 'Greater Indonesia'

Gerindra and 'Greater Indonesia'

Prabowo’s party has deep roots in Indonesian political mythology

'Selamat Berbuka Puasa'

'Selamat Berbuka Puasa'

In South Kalimantan local politicians target TV screens with strategically-placed messages for Ramadan

The Aceh Party

The Aceh Party

The elections were tense in Aceh but in the end helped to consolidate the peace process

Down but not out

Down but not out

Islamic political parties did not do well, but Islamic politics are going mainstream

Not just an elite game

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

Symbols and signs

Symbols and signs

Photo-essay: PKS is often depicted as radical Islamist, but its members show evidence of ideological diversity

Dominant but weak

Dominant but weak

Signs of underlying fragility in nationalist parties may benefit Islamic parties in future elections

Chaos and consolidation

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

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Small island life

Jan 16, 2020 - MOHAMAD RACHMADIAN NAROTAMA

Javanese-born transmigration farmers cross from Ranai Island to Sedanau Island to sell vegetables on a daily basis / Narotma, 2017

Remote island communities are fighting for greater autonomy and more suitable, fair development

Lost Lasem

Jan 07, 2020 - VANIA DJUNAIDI

Tiongkok Kecil Heritage Lasem – Jl. Karangturi / Author

Photo essay

Pious bikies

Dec 19, 2019 - WASISTO RAHARJO JATI

Members circulate invitations through social media such as WhatsApp and Telegram/ Bikers Subuhan Jogja Facebook Group

Yogyakarta’s Dawn Prayer Bikers are converting an outlaw tradition into a prayer ritual

Fiction: Pasung

Nov 22, 2019 - MAYESTICA DE JONG

/ Andrea Star Reese for Human Rights Watch

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

Adam Cohn @Flickr

Indonesia’s 50-year-old family planning program has been a great success but is struggling to adapt with women’s needs

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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