Joko Widodo
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Indonesia's presidential electionK-Pop not Islam
This year's Valentine's Day saw a presidential election in Indonesia, the world's third-largest democracy. Conservative-Islamic morals and panic-mongering tactics took a back seat on social media channels filled with music, cat videos…and elderly presidential hopefuls dancing
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Elections in IndonesiaWorld's third largest democracy at a crossroads
On 14 February 2024, some 205 million Indonesians are going to the polls to choose a new president as well as new national and regional parliaments. Over the past 25 years, the nation with the world's largest Muslim population has evolved into a stable democracy. Yet observers now fear autocratic tendencies
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Indonesia's ties with Russia and the WestJokowi's tightrope walk
With its traditions of neutrality and non-alignment, Indonesia has had to tiptoe around the Ukraine war debate. Pro-Russia sentiment in the region complicates Jakarta's foreign policy challenges. By David Hutt
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Future-proofing IslamFocus on the soul of Islam
Indonesian religious affairs minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas set the bar high for both President Joko Widodo and Nahdlatul Ulama – the religious backbone of Widodo's government – when he laid out the agenda for his country's presidency of the G20 last week. James M. Dorsey has the details
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Social unrest in Southeast AsiaIndonesian women demand their rights
In Indonesia, social resistance is mounting against a law banning sex before marriage and the government's weakening of the anti-corruption authorities. A report by Zora Rahman from Yogyakarta
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Islamism in Southeast AsiaIslamic State's latest breeding ground
A recent knife attack on the security minister of Indonesia is a reminder of the danger of Islamist extremism in Southeast Asia. Security measures alone are not enough to combat radicalisation, say experts. By Rodion Ebbighausen
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Drug-related crime in IndonesiaDon Widodo's tilt with windmills
Anti-narcotics laws and their enforcement tend to be tough in Southeast Asia. In Indonesia, however, drug use is not in decline, despite attempts by President Widodo to crack down on durg dealers and cartels. By Edith Koesoemawiria
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Indonesia′s gubernatorial electionsThe tolerance litmus test
In future, Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia will be governed by a Muslim: during recent elections, the sitting Christian governor, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, was beaten by his Muslim opponent Anies Baswedan. Christina Schott reports from Jakarta
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Political Islam in IndonesiaWahhabism runs into the sand
Many Indonesians are watching with concern as religious intolerance and violence against minorities continues to escalate. But the vast majority are successfully stemming the tide of radical tendencies. By Franz Magnis-Suseno
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Interview with Fritz Schulze"Islam is deeply rooted in Indonesian democracy"
A lively debate is currently raging in Indonesia on how Islamic norms can be reconciled with democratic values. Liberals and fundamentalists, moderates and reactionaries are engaging in verbal skirmishes. Adelheid Feilcke asked Fred Schulze, an expert on Southeast Asia, what this debate means for the world's largest Islamic country
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Indonesian presidential elections 2014Populist versus autocrat
The two candidates in the forthcoming presidential elections in Indonesia could hardly be more different. Prabowo Subianto, former son-in-law of the late dictator Suharto, has adopted a militaristic style, and likes to present himself as a strong leader, while social democrat candidate Joko Widodo is seen as a man of the people and establishment outsider. Christina Schott examines their chances
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Democracy and Human Rights in IndonesiaA Blocked Constitutional State
The country with the world's biggest Muslim population has now experienced 15 years of democracy. But the political euphoria of the Indonesian "Reformasi" movement has long since given way to disenchantment. Ex-dictator Suharto's old boy network is still very much in place, and radical Islam is on the rise. By Christina Schott