Reformasi Dispatch

Interview with 'Majapahit' author Herald van der Linde - pluralism, commerce and justice in pre-modern Indonesia.  Plus, a look at the likely new cabinet roster with some positive late-stage alterations. For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.info Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/ You can support us on: buymeacoffee.co...

In this episode: Asean Summit, Jakarta governor debate, investigation in South Kalimantan, fiscal deficit outlook, cabinet-roster prognostications. For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.info Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/ It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording servic...

This week: Erin Cook talks to Rio Tuasikal on his paper regarding media coverage of AI in Indonesia. Also, Regional-head races, ethanol production, cabinet formation and new legislative leaderships Read Rio Tuasikal's research on media coverage of AI in Indonesia: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15u1m5c7V0mfx_i2Jip2g687-HIKMVbZu/view For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.i...

This week: Sri Mulyani speculation, Kiwi pilot released, cabinet rumors and sand exports.  Also: Prof James Guild discusses the Widodo-era legacy of infrastructure development. For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.info Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/ It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for ho...

This week: the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (Kadin) takeover, Widodo's offspring under fire, and updates on the politics of regional-head elections. For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.info Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/ It takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recordin...

Following the profound setback to democratization from Golkar's takeover, constitutional justices undertook a spirited effort to restore competition to regional-head elections -- only for parliament to countermand the court a day later with a Regional Head Election Law revision.  To examine the whiplash-like effects of events, we enlisted the veteran journalist Wahyu Dhyatmika of Tempo - the...

President Widodo and Prabowo Subianto need no longer contend with restiveness from Indonesia's second-largest party: Golkar Chair Airlangga Hartarto sensationally resigned and his replacement will be the Widodo-Prabowo loyalist Bahlil Lahadahlia. Kevin and Erin discuss the implications for democratization (spoiler: not good) and, specifically, regional-head races (not good either).  For Jakar...

This week, Southeast Asia's politics witnessed the dissolution of Thailand's most popular party (again), and strides in Indonesia's regional‑head elections to thwart the administration's rivals -- in which case, ballots in November may literally feature empty boxes for voters' only alternative to a nominee of a hegemonic alliance.  Also: Erin and Kevin discuss Sheikh Hasin...

Indonesia's president-elect set a distinctive tone by making visits to France, Serbia, Turkey and Russia.  Kevin and Erin examine some takeaways (more on the Kremlin call in the next pod.)  Meanwhile, President Widodo breaks in the Nusantara Palace and hosts influencers.  Also: the Asean foreign ministers' retreat in Laos and a grotesque verdict for a grotesque crime in Surabaya. For a f...

The passing of the Communist Party's general secretary has the makings of a watershed for modern Vietnam - yet the public domain is distinctly unruffled.  To talk through the reactions and implications of the unfolding transition, we reach out to the writer and podcaster of Vietnam Weekly, Mike Tatarski.  Spoiler: unknowns abound.  And in Indonesia: Erin and Kevin consider a bevy of Prabowo-o...

In a special 1-hr interview, Reformasi Dispatch consults the Indonesian polling expert, Dr Seth Soderberg, on a new batch of survey findings for gubernatorial contests in five major provinces.  With contests taking place in over 570 regions simultaneously, the 27 November elections pose a momentous juncture for shaping Indonesia's political future.  With new data from Indikator Politik and Ko...

Curious circumstances surround June's hack of a national data center (PDNS II) and Nenden of Safenet, a premier CSO on online rights, joins the pod to help de-encrypt.  We discuss the safety protocols, the hackers' demands and where accountability lies.  Also: Erin and Kevin examine a momentous change at the top of the General Election Commission (KPU) and the implications for the presid...

For a comprehensive overview of the dynamics unfolding in Myanmar, Erin and Kevin consult Apac Assistance analyst Ragyeshri Sudaroli, who underscores the imperative for expanding humanitarian assistance as violence displaces three million Myanmarese and counting.  On Indonesia, the pod examines the odd willingness of hackers to unlock ransomed government data - supposedly for free.  Also: a propos...

Thai politics and contingencies across its Myanmar border are among the topics discussed in our latest podcast with Kasit Piromya, a longstanding activist with ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) and a former foreign minister of Thailand.  Khun Kasit has also served as Thailand's ambassador to over half-a-dozen countries, including the US, Germany, Japan and Russia.  He provides an...

The health consequences of suspended particles in Jakarta's air -- and safeguards applicable indoors -- come under scrutiny in this episode's interview with Piotr Jakubowski of Nafas, a provider of indoor air-quality monitoring and purifying.  Piotr explains the terms, trends and dynamics of air pollution -- while disclosing the results of an air test done in a quintessentially smokey Se...

The Reformasi Dispatch podcast delves into turbulence in Thai politics with the director of the Regional Centre for Human Rights Studies at Isan's Ubon Ratchathani University.  Amid charges against Thaksin, a move to dissolve Move Forward and hunger strikes by political prisoners, Titipon estimates what might lie ahead, proximately and longer term.  And in Indonesian politics, Erin and Kevin...

Imminent excavation to divert part of the Mekong through Cambodia has alarmed Vietnam.  Is this a Chinese‑supported stratagem to use water a geo-political leverage?  Also, Erin and Kevin discuss high-stakes political wrangling over shipping containers detained at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port, and the rolling out of Wolbachia-treated Aedes Aegypti to combat dengue fever.  And finally, what Elo...

Indonesia's parliament has returned to session and a flurry of bills reveals plenty about the designs of the allied outgoing and incoming presidents.  Among them, a 4th bill on a key judicial entity.  Also: Erin and Kevin discuss Singapore's change of government and the tragic passing of a Thai hunger striker. Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehii...

Reformasi Dispatch conferred with Angus Mackintosh, an independent research analyst from SmartKarma and CrossAsean, on how innovation is unfolding in Indonesia.  Despite low research levels and an uncertain investment climate, artificial intelligence (AI) can close skill gaps and thereby help unlock Indonesia's long‑latent potential.  Erin, Kevin and Angus consider examples of ventures leadin...

Prospects for foreign policy, domestic politics and democratization feature in our talk with the distinguished analyst and former advisor to President Habibie and Vice President Boediono, Professor Dewi Fortuna Anwar of the National Research and Innovation Agency (Brin). She extends the 'benefit of the doubt' -- or doubts -- but also highlights risks and concerns.  Also: Erin and Kevin d...

To assess the post-election process and anticipate what lies ahead, The head of Michigan University's Center for Emerging Democracies joins Reformasi Dispatch to discuss his new article in the Journal of Democracy. Are expectations of "continuity" valid?  Is the electorate prepared for how President‑Elect Prabowo will govern?  Professor Slater also touches on trends in Hun Sen'...

Medan Mayor Bobby Nasution is seeking to run for governor of Indonesia's fourth-largest province and his father-in-law Joko Widodo appears keen to help -- Reformasi Dispatch examines why.  Also: With Lawrence Wong designated as Singapore's next prime minister, the city-state is embarking on a new era - but it might still bear close resemblance to the old...  Finally, Erin and Kevin discu...

Amid electoral disputes unfolding in the Constitutional Court, President-Elect Prabowo Subianto abruptly appeared in Beijing, hosted by Xi Jinping.  Kevin and Erin Cook break down the significance and note that Prabowo sought to convey balance by also visiting Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur.  Also: how the new Jakarta Law exceeds expectations by making fewer changes than anticipated, and a check on develo...

Indonesia's national election vote‑count concluded relatively smoothly, with the Widodo family's PSI falling well short of inclusion in parliament while the Soeharto-era ruling party Golkar expanded its vote share at PDI‑Perjuangan's expense.  Jeff and Kevin break down the implications and outlook.  Also: an all-too predictable kerfuffle on new Customs restrictions for arriving trav...

Reformasi Dispatch takes a closer look at the vote-count process unfolding, with help from a foremost civil-society figure, Khoirunnisa ('Ninis') Nur Agustyati of Perludem.  We discuss the technical drawbacks affecting the online 'SiRekap' display of the Election Commission (KPU) and whether commissioners acted judiciously in taking down the display on 5 March.  Ninis explains...