Reformasi Dispatch

Simon Flint, The 1,000 Days Fund Co-Founder explains the causes and effects of below-par growth in under-fives – something that affects nearly one in three Indonesian children.  He explores the role for NGOs in supporting the Widodo Administration’s high-profile anti-stunting campaign.  Also: Jeff and Kevin discuss the case spike, the government’s assorted handling efforts, and implications for th...

Charlie McCann, The Economist’s regional correspondent covering Myanmar, illuminates conditions endured by the Burmese, prospects for change and the role played to date by neighbors including Indonesia.  She details economic deterioration, civil disobedience, and trends in the conflict between a People’s Defense Force (PDF) and Gen Hlaing’s Tatmadaw.  Certain distinctive traits of the military are...

The province that arguably constitutes Indonesia's political heartland gave rise to the current president as well as a potential successor: Gov Ganjar Pranowo, who joins the podcast to delve into the management of his giant region - including the pandemic, welfare, investment, the environment, and governance. Also: Kevin and Jeff examine a failed waste-to-energy project and a grandiose defens...

Our exclusive interview with the renowned anti-corruption investigator examines conditions within the independent commission and considers what might lie in store.  Jeff and Kevin discuss President Widodo’s positioning on the dismantling of the KPK and how it affects operating conditions for investors.  Also: a welcome Tax Amnesty clarification from the finance minister; energy planners embrace re...

Robert Blake, the former US ambassador, enumerates factors that are slowing deforestation and examines prospects for US-Indonesia engagement on climate change.  Also: Jeff and Kevin assess a portentous Ganjar-Puan rift, a bold tax initiative and an exceedingly complex gas-to-chemicals project. Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/reformasifree Support us on buymeacoff...

Heroic investigators handed non-jobs in personnel winnowing.  Also: With nominating decisions just two years away, top provincial heads are clearly striving to elevate their nationwide profiles and boost their poll rankings.  At stake is the fundamental direction of Indonesia's democratization.  Also: healthcare preparations for anticipated post-holiday transmissions. Get a free trial of Refo...

A conversation with Michal Zrust, co-founder of Lestari Capital, about the Rimba Collective, which uses markets to drive verified ecological outcomes.  Also: Kevin and Jeff on investment inflows, the GoTo merger, the unshuffled cabinet, and revitalizing Jakarta's Kota old town. Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/reformasifree Support us on buymeacoffee.com/refo...

Cross Asean's Angus Mackintosh examines the digitization of consumption and what capital markets trends portend for recovery.  Also: a lost submarine, another Golkar scandal, bracing for a surge and a momentous summit on Myanmar. Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/reformasifree Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. Y...

Tiza Mafira of the Climate Policy Initiative discusses her upcoming documentary and dedicated work on single-use packaging waste.  Also: the mudik ban, an American vaccine-maker defies Indonesia's top regulator, the beleaguered Soehartos, a Wahid family comeback(?), and an overtly political new gun club. Watch the trailer of Pulau Plastik documentary here: https://youtu.be/PBhakv9DQFQ Get a f...

We interview Eurasia Group’s Peter Mumford to examine the web of linkages that might – or might not – affect outcomes in Myanmar.  Also discussed: a look at The Quad from Indonesia’s standpoint.  And Jeff and Kevin discuss Moeldoko’s failed gambit to take over Yudhoyono’s Partai Demokrat, another tragic church bombing, and Pertamina’s safety record. Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter...

Author Ben Bland discusses paradoxical leadership and we examine the latest in politics.  Also: China's signature project may face delay. Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/reformasifree Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and mu...

Former Presidential Advisory Council Chair Sri Adiningsih of Gadjah Mada University joins the pod to examine trends and prospects for the economy in the wake of the pandemic and the Omnibus Job Creation Law.   Also discussed: a forthcoming industry-minister decree would expand security-force protection services for industrial parks, many of which accommodate major investments funded by companies f...

A move toward privatizations and a target date for one-stop permitting are the latest in a series of reforms that have come forth rapidly from the Widodo administration amid the pandemic – just as past reforms also occurred as responses to downturns.  Also discussed: Moeldoko’s brazen move may be turning sour; and the Supreme Court’s administrator receives a six-year corruption sentence. Get a fre...

The president's chief of staff has declared himself chair of the largest opposition party, on  far-fetched claims of legitimacy.  What does this do for politics?  What is the end game?  Also: Widodo quickly rolls back a reform; and an Interview with James Bryson on new territorial tax treatment for expatriates and how it will affect Indonesia's competitiveness as an investment destinatio...

The investment climate hinges on legal certainty and service delivery, which in turn depends on merit-based incentives in the civil service.  Kevin and Jeff discuss reform momentum with Prof Eko Prasojo, chair of the National Independent Team on Bureaucratic Reform.  Also in this episode: a dramatic dismantling of the Negative Investment List (DNI); South Sulawesi's Gov in jeopardy; and Prabo...

In this episode: Indonesia’s Myanmar-Asean quandary; its new  ‘Sovereign Wealth’ Fund; a clash over the Berkarya Party; and the new police chief’s directives for moderating the use of the draconian ITE Law. With interviews with Usman Hamid of Amnesty International Indonesia and Adhigama Budiman of the NGO Indonesia Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR). Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at:...

In this episode: Private vaccine program complicates rollout; Regulation on labor-market reform imminent; Widodo's poll rating sags; and an interview with Michael Sianipar, chair of the Jakarta Chapter of the Solidarity Party (PSI). Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/reformasifree Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi It takes a lot of money to run a podcast...

Indonesia's Covid-19 cases dip as vaccine rollout begins; a setback for local elections; and an end to mandatory religious dress in schools -- for now. Plus, we speak with Andreas Harsono of Human Rights Watch. Get a free trial of Reformasi Weekly Newsletter at: https://bit.ly/reformasifree Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscriptio...