The lack of real political difference among the various contenders for the top political job in Indonesia has paved the way for the culture of political dynasties to strengthen. Will this culture win out? The votes will tell. “However, elektabilitas calculations are prevailing. Gibran/Prabowo might calculate that they might lose the middle-class liberal vote but still be […]
“Polarisations in Indonesia: Distinguishing the Real from the Rhetorical” by Max Lane
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY For full article click HERE
JOKOWI’S MANOEUVRES IN DEFIANCE OF MEGAWATI AIMED AT CONSOLIDATING FUTURE POSITION by Max Lane
How does an outgoing president secure his political future without the usual party mechanism?? “It soon became clear that Widodo was not on the same wavelength as Megawati. Despite being seated at the press conference nominating Ganjar, Widodo quickly made it clear that he was not automatically going to support Ganjar. At a well-funded mass gathering of […]
Pramoedya Ananta Toer – An Indonesian Literary Icon by JOSE RAMOS HORTA
“It was in Buru that Pramoedya created “the Quartet”. Initially forbidden access to writing materials, Pramoedya recited the stories; vivid tales of the creation of Indonesia, a time of national awakening and rebellion against the colonial rulers, orally to other prisoners. When Pramoedya and two of his fellow prisoners, Joesoef Isak and Hasyim Rachman, were […]
How a political prisoner’s novels gave Indonesia a sense of history by Chris Barrett
“Regardless of Pramoedya’s political views, however, Lane argues he provided Indonesians with a long-lost link to their past, one that is fundamental in reckoning with the future of a still young nation. His highly accessible insider’s account also offers readers in Australia greater understanding of Indonesia’s journey and that can only be positive.” For full […]
How have Two Years of Pandemic Affected Indonesian Political Life? by Max Lane
From ISEAS Perspective, No 7, 2022. “A more fundamental reason why the pandemic has not significantly altered Indonesian political life is that Indonesia’s underlying political structure reinforces policy homogeneity within the broad ruling elite. The primary focus of contestations remains the maneuvering and positioning in relation to the 2024 elections, both presidential and parliamentary..” Read […]
Articles by Max Lane on the Institute for Southeast Asia’s Websites – 2021 (until September)
Articles by Max Lane on the Institute for Southeast Asia’s Websites – 2021 (until September) WIDODO’S EMPLOYMENT CREATION LAW, 2020: WHAT ITS JOURNEY TELLS US ABOUT INDONESIAN POLITICS in Trends – click immediately below. EMERGING POLITICAL PARTIES IN INDONESIA: RAISING THE WATER LEVEL OF POLICY DEBATE? POLITICIANS’ BILLBOARD WAR UNDERSCORES ABSENCE OF POLICY CONTESTATION THE […]
EMERGING POLITICAL PARTIES IN INDONESIA: RAISING THE WATER LEVEL OF POLICY DEBATE? by Max Lane
“In the immediate years after Suharto, it was relatively easy for new political forces to offer new candidates. Without resources or access to the media, however, no new forces succeeded in winning a seat. Later electoral rules have made it even harder for small new parties to register to participate in elections. As a result, […]
The KPK Controversy Keeps Corruption a Central Issue in Public Consciousness” by Max Lane
“Public anger over endemic corruption is being aggravated by emerging signs of graft in the handling of the COVID crisis. There is an ongoing trial of a cabinet minister accused of corrupt mishandling of COVID welfare funds. There has also been public concern over alleged price gouging for COVID medicines and tests. Such developments will […]
SPEAKING OUT ON POLITICS IN INDONESIA: MORE OPPORTUNITY, MORE FEAR by Max Lane
“On 6 April, the Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) group published poll results showing an increase in Indonesians afraid to speak out criticising government policy. 32 per cent of respondents said that they were often afraid of discussing politics, 7 per cent said they were always afraid. In contrast, a third said they were […]
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