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
Everything You Always Wanted to Happen in the Bumi Manusia Film
Everything You Always Wanted to Happen in the Bumi Manusia Film* (*but Were Afraid to Ask) BY : MIKAEL JOHANI AUGUST 09, 2019, JAKARTA GLOBE The wait is, finally, almost over. The film adaptation of Pramoedya Ananta Toer’s classic novel “Bumi Manusia,” or This Earth of Mankind, gets its red carpet première in Surabaya today. The choice […]
Bersama Pram, Hasyim dan Joesoef ZIARAH KE MAKAM TIRTO ADHI SOERJO (si Minke itu) – artikel Max Lane, 1992
ZIARAH KE MAKAM TIRTO ADHI SOERJO berziarah bersama Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Hasyim Rachman dan Joesoef Isak. Oleh Max Lane (Ditulis 1992, dan terbit di majalah PROGRES.) (Ditulis 1992, dan terbit di majalah PROGRES.)
Contending Rhetoric in Indonesia’s Presidential Elections: An Analysis by Max Lane
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The policy content in the sharpening rhetorical contestation in Indonesia’s presidential campaign remains shallow. The policy manifestos of both camps contain the usual generic promises of economic and technological progress and social justice. However, the essential difference between Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto in the main thrust of their campaign message […]
Reposting: Indonesia: 1965 and the Counter-Revolution against the Nation.
Indonesia: 1965 and the Counter-Revolution against the Nation. By Max Lane +++ “The impact of the counter-revolution was, however, even deeper than the sum of these combined policies – from mass murder and terror to totalitarian imposed ignorance and passivity. The 1965 counter-revolution was a pre-emptive purge aimed at the prevention of the final unfolding […]