As the Dust Settles After the Elections: New Nuances in the Twin Axes of Indonesian Politics

 

INDONESIA STUDIES PROGRAMME SEMINAR

About the Hybrid Seminar

Two axes of tension were revealed in 2023 during the lead-up to Indonesia’s presidential election campaign. The first relates to the political dynamics of personal ambition within the political establishment; the second relates to a dilemma faced by civil society in its relation to the political establishment. Neither the election campaign nor the actual election results have altered the dominant role of these two tensions. However, new nuances have been introduced.

A new three-way tension has emerged within the political establishment as separate trajectories of ambition surface among president-elect Prabowo Subianto, the outgoing president Joko Widodo and his family, and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), led by Megawati Sukarnoputri.

The attempt by the new Workers’ Party (Partai Buruh, PB) to emerge as a representative of some of the civil society constituency has failed, with the PB scoring a low vote. Furthermore, the tensions between those who see the PB as the kernel of an ideologically social democratic opposition force and those who see it as an alliance with elements in the political establishment have sharpened. Meanwhile, civil society organisations outside the PB have sustained their activity post-election. This seminar aims to elucidate the intersection between civil society and the mainstream forces outside of Prabowo’s coalition.

About the Speaker

Dr Maxwell Lane is a Visiting Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, Singapore. He has worked as a journalist, a researcher in the Australian Parliament, a human rights activist, a lecturer, and teacher. His latest books are Indonesia Out of Exile: How Pramoedya’s Buru Quartet Killed a Dictatorship (Penguin 2023) and Saudara Berdiri di Pihak Yang Mana? Politik Seni Subversif Rendra (Djaman Baroe 2024). He is also the translator of several works by Pramoedya Ananta Toer and W.S. Rendra. Dr Lane frequently guest lectures at Gadjah Mada University and other universities in Indonesia.

Registration

This is a hybrid event which will be held at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS).

Attending the Event In-person at ISEAS

To join the event in-person at ISEAS, please register via the ISEAS mobile app, available on iOS and Android via the Apple or Play store. Search “ISEAS” to find or scan this QR code.

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Seating capacity is limited. Do register early to avoid disappointment.

Attending the Event Virtually via Webinar

To join the event virtually at the specified date and time using your internet devices, please register here to receive your unique login link for the webinar via the zoom platform.

If you have questions for the speaker, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.

Democracy, Corruption, and Law Enforcement: Challenges in Achieving Grand Indonesia 2045

 

INDONESIA STUDIES PROGRAMME SEMINAR

About the Hybrid Seminar

Indonesia stands at a critical juncture in its political and socio-economic development, striving to transition from a middle-income to a high-income nation by 2045. Despite notable democratic advancements since the start of the Reformasi movement, Indonesia continues to grapple with pervasive corruption that undermines public trust and stymies economic growth. Effective law enforcement is crucial in curbing corrupt practices and fostering a transparent business environment essential for high-income status. Nonetheless, there are myriad factors that could impede the effort to achieve good and transparent governance. This seminar delves into the intricate interplay between democratic governance, corruption, and the efficacy of law enforcement in shaping the country’s economic trajectory. The speaker will explore the systemic challenges and policy solutions required to achieve the Grand Indonesia 2045 vision.

About the Speaker

Prof. Mahfud MD is a former Coordinating Minister for Politics, Legal and Security Affairs (2019-2024). His political journey shows his vast experience in various roles in all three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial. Mahfud is the first civilian to hold the Coordinating Minister role, breaking away from the tradition of military dominance. His political journey began in 2000 as Defense Minister (2000-2001) and later as Law and Human Rights Minister (2001) under the presidency of Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid. In 2004, Mahfud continued his political journey by becoming a legislator (2004-2008) at the House of Representatives, in which he represented the National Awakening Party (PKB) in various commissions. He was elected as a justice for the Constitutional Court in 2008.

In the 2024 Presidential election, Mahfud emerged as the Vice Presidential running mate for Ganjar Pranowo, supported by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP). Mahfud has a strong affiliation with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the organization which gave birth to the National Awakening Party (PKB). Mahfud is also a teaching staff and Professor at the Faculty of Law, Indonesian Islamic University (UII) Yogyakarta.

Attending the Event In-person at ISEAS

To join the event in-person at ISEAS, please register via the ISEAS mobile app, available on iOS and Android via the Apple or Play store. Search “ISEAS” to find or scan this QR code.

Apple Store

Play Store

Seating capacity is limited. Do register early to avoid disappointment.

Attending the Event Virtually via Webinar

To join the event virtually at the specified date and time using your internet devices, please register here to receive your unique login link for the webinar via the zoom platform.

If you have questions for the speaker, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.

Indonesia’s Health Sector Reform: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

 

INDONESIA STUDIES PROGRAMME WEBINAR

About the Webinar

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the limitations of Indonesia’s healthcare system. Since then, healthcare has become a national priority, leading to increased budget allocation and efforts to reform the sector.

In 2023, the government passed a new Health Law as part of a major transformation of the national healthcare system. The new Law aims to simplify, consolidate, and improve upon existing laws, including the Medical Practice Law, the Hospitals Law, and the Health Workers Law.

While there has been some progress, though limited, following the provision of the new Health Law, there have been some challenges and resistance from various stakeholders. In this webinar, an Indonesian health policy expert will discuss the progress and challenges faced by the government as it continues to reform Indonesia’s healthcare system. He will also talk about what additional implementing regulations are needed to tackle the issues faced by Indonesia’s healthcare system and how Indonesia can collaborate with other countries in expediting its health sector development.

About the Speaker

Professor Laksono Trisnantoro is the director of health policy and management for the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia. He also serves as the Special Staff to Indonesia’s Minister of Health for the Resilience of Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Industries. Previously, he worked as a short-term consultant for the World Health Organisation and the World Bank.

Prof Laksono earned his PhD in a joint health policy program from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the London School of Economics. He completed his postdoctoral program at Harvard University. His primary interest is health policy and administration, especially health service decentralisation.

Registration

This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.

Please register here to receive your unique link for joining the webinar.

If you have questions for the speaker, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.

Seminar on ” Identifying Priority Sectors in the Blue Economy Development in Indonesia”

 

In this hybrid seminar, Dr. Amalia Adininggar Widyasanti shared greater insights on Indonesia’s blue economy programme and discussed policy implementations to facilitate further growth in this new sector.

 

Webinar on “Different Frontiers of Social Media War in Indonesian Election 2024” 

 

In this webinar, Dr Ismail Fahmi shared his analyses of social media strategies employed by the three Indonesian presidential candidates in the 2024 Election. Dr Ismail presented data retrieved from two most popular social media platforms in Indonesia, namely TikTok and X.

 

Hybrid Seminar on “Indonesia’s Role in Global Climate Action”

 

In this hybrid seminar, Dr Masyita Crystallin shares her insights on how Indonesia plans to balance its economic and welfare priorities while strengthening its leadership in global climate governance.

 

Webinar on “Analysing the 2024 Indonesian Elections Results and Post-Election Coalition Dynamics “

 

In this webinar, Dr Burhanuddin Muhtadi discussed factors that contributed to the overwhelming win for Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka in the 2024 presidential-vice presidential elections. He also elaborated on the potential role of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) in Prabowo’s administration and highlighted the implications of this election results on Indonesia’s political future.

 

Seminar on “Indonesia’s 2024 Elections: Java and Beyond”

 

In this hybrid seminar, Dr Deasy Simandjuntak, Mr Made Supriatma, and Dr Ian Wilson shared their analyses of the campaigning and unofficial results of Indonesia’s 14 February 2024 presidential and legislative elections. The three fellows presented key findings from their fieldwork in different provinces, namely North Sumatra, East and Central Java, and DKI Jakarta.

 

Seminar on “Understanding Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election: Watershed Moment or Anti-Climax?”

 

In this hybrid seminar, Dr Maxwell Lane discussed how personal rivalry politics had facilitated dynasty building, leading to national politics becoming a theatre of rhetorical polarization among the political elites. Dr A’an Suryana, on the other hand, discussed the role of Islamists in the 2024 presidential elections, demonstrating how it had weakened over the years due to state repression and shifts in the political alliances among the elites.

 

Seminar on “Indonesia’s 2024 Elections: What the Past Elections Can Tell Us about Indonesia’s Future Trajectory”

 

In this hybrid seminar, Dr Philips Vermonte shared details about the development of the Indonesian election. He presented a conceptual framework to understand voting behaviour in Indonesia and laid out some projections for the 2024 elections.