“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 […]
Widodo Government Acknowledges Gross Human Rights Violations Happened: The Unstoppable Erosion of a Fundamental Taboo by Max Lane
“Spokespersons for the Widodo government since 2014 have regularly stated that they are seeking a “completion” (penyelesaian) of this issue, implying that once there is “resolution”, there will correspondingly be no further need for public debate. It is probable that, with about a year to go in Widodo’s second and final term as president, he […]
Indonesia’s ‘Social Opposition’ Remains Weak but Hopeful by Max Lane
Read HERE!
Indonesia’s New Workers Party: Ambiguity in Labour Politics by Max Lane
The formation of a new Workers Party backed by the country’s labour unions signifies a new trend in Indonesian politics. In August 2021, a new Workers Party (Partai Buruh, PB) was formed. The structure of the party was formalised through a congress in October 2021. For union confederations, 50 trade union federations and a women’s fishermen and […]
A Third Term for Jokowi: Weighing the Risks of Constitutional Change by Max Lane
“The recent brouhaha over a possible extension of President Joko Widodo’s term underscores a quandary in Indonesia’s politics: there is no low-risk candidate that political parties can back.” To read full article click HERE
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 […]
Jakarta and Papua: Where There are No Risk-Free Choices by Max Lane
Recent events in Papua underscore the fact that there is no solution that is entirely free of risk for Jakarta. Instead, the choice is between separate sets of risks. See comment piece here: Jakarta and Papua: Where There are No Risk-Free Choices
“Political Parties’ Manoeuvring after the Jokowi-Prabowo Rapprochement” by Max Lane
“Indonesia’s political system is a hybrid presidential-parliamentary system, but where the greatest initiative lies with the president as head of government. On the one hand, nobody can stand as a presidential candidate without at least a quarter of the parliament supporting his nomination; without serious party support, contenders are left high and dry. On the […]
What does Jokowi’s new cabinet say about where Indonesian politics is headed? by Max Lane
A short piece in Singapore’s TODAY – online: https://www.todayonline.com/commentary/what-does-Jokowi’s-new-cabinet-say-about-Indonesian-politics
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