Reformasi Dispatch

A veteran human rights expert joins the pod to reflect on press freedoms a quarter-century since Soeharto's fall.  Andreas Harsono also provides an update on the Widodo administration's gesture to acknowledge 12 cases of past rights cases.  Also: Jeff and Kevin assess Ganjar's initial campaign performances and messaging -- along with an abrupt move by the Prabowo camp to 'go negative' at an early stage.  And finally: sudden rancor over the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the Bandung fast train's trial run.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

The former US ambassador to Indonesia and Myanmar joins Reformasi Dispatch to share his views -- compiled from a career devoted almost entirely to diplomacy throughout the Asean region.  Ambassador Marciel's book uses a wealth of personal vignettes to highlight over-arching themes such as democratization, institution-building, and engaging with the region on its merits -- rather than as a foil to China.  Jeff and Kevin ask the ambassador about legal-system institutions, Indonesian democracy, conditions in Myanmar, and the tools available to US diplomats in SE Asia.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

We turn to an expert for an update on polling methodologies and what the numbers say thus far about where the candidates stand.  After gyrations during April, we ask the Harvard Ph.D. candidate Seth Soderborg about the constituencies, strategies and dynamics that could prove decisive in the months ahead.  Also, Kevin and Jeff recap the ill-fated 'Grand Alliance' and discuss how Anies Baswedan is elevating respect for democratic norms as a potentially powerful campaign theme.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

After nearly 20 years, a bill to help protect maids and household servants from exploitation finally appears poised to pass into law.  A longstanding proponent, former parliamentarian Eva Sundari, joins the pod to explain the bill's features, which she describes as moderate and modest.  A central feature will be a registration system to help track workers' whereabouts and guard against involuntary servitude.In addition, Jeff and Kevin review the ongoing whirlwind of party politicking, including options for parties of the United Alliance (KIB).  Also: an update on Jakarta's long-awaited Light Rail Train (LRT) due to commence operations in July.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

This is the full interview with Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo on June 2021 in Indonesian.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

In the wake of Megawati Sukarnoputri’s decision to back Ganjar Pranowo for president we thought we would replay our June 2021 interview with the Central Java governor. Kevin and Jeff talked with the governor about improving the pool of skilled labour, protecting the environment, the effectiveness of the KPK and Covid 19. The Delta wave of the virus would hit his province within weeks of our interview. What we didn’t know at the time was that our interview would be among the last he would grant to any media on worries he would appear to be swerving out of his political lane. No longer. Now he must build a national political profile with fewer than 10 months to go before the election. But with the help of Megawati’s ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the likely endorsement of the popular incumbent, Joko Widodo, Ganjar Pranowo has the wind at his back. We hope you enjoy the interview. The full original recording in Bahasa Indonesia is also available on this feed. We’ll be back on May 5th with another all new episode.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

Ganjar Gets Go-Ahead (with Erry Hardjapamekas): The long waiting game with Megawati has ended as the PDI-P chair moved on 21 April 2023 to announce her intention to endorse the governor for president.  This improves Indonesia's political outlook; it also renders parties of the erstwhile United Alliance (KIB) adrift and triggers rampant speculation about vice-presidential running mates.  Jeff and Kevin discuss some scenarios ahead.  Also: a KPK founder joins the pod to discuss the commission's leadership, independence and potential dangers to democratization.  And finally: how the Jakarta-Bandung Fast Train may rankle bilateral relations with China for some time.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

10 months to the day before next year's momentous election, Indonesia's electoral process is plodding through a veritable gauntlet of meddling.  This includes spurious procedural disputes, unscrupulous legal attacks and a late-stage attempt to revise rules.  And the once-independent Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) is at issue: an editorial in Tempo, once a staunch KPK defender, asserts that the commission is now an instrument of abuse.  Machinations seemingly aim to indict Anies Baswedan regarding funding for a Formula-E grand prix -- but a weak charge against a presidential contender would likely call the election's legitimacy into question. Jeff and Kevin discuss the rapidly evolving state of play -- and assess the assertion of Jakarta's rumor mill that Megawati has finally decided to imminently endorse Central Java Gov Ganjar Pranowo as the presidential nominee of PDI‑Perjuangan.  Did the decision come about at considerable cost to Ganjar's support among football fans?  Indonesia lost its right to host the Under-20 football World Cup amid calls from Ganjar and others to ban the Israel team.  And finally, a look at the timeline for when the bulk of Indonesia's parties might finalize their presidential nominations.  Did we mention there are only 10 months to the elections? Enjoy the show.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

International scrutiny of the processes that produce batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) is inevitable -- and already beginning.  The author of a recent Wired article on the topic joins the pod.  Also: Jeff and Kevin discuss the implications of a potential attempt by the chair of the Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) to name former Jakarta Gov Anies Baswedan as a suspect, and a clear-cut case of a tourist-on-tourist stalking exposes law-enforcement frailties.Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!

Steven and Jeff speak with Awan Puryadi, one of the lawyers in involved in a class action suit on behalf of 25 families of victims who had drank cough syrup laced with industrial grade solvents that are lethal for humans. The families are seeking billions in compensation from pharmaceutical companies, distributors and the government for allowing the mass poisoning. The Pak Awan says the families want the government to devote resources toward long term care for those suffering debilitating injuries including organ failure and paralysis, which are permanent and an apology. Kevin is off this week, the guys will be back next week with a full show. For now, here’s Pak Awan. Get our special episode on the 4th Presidential Debate on:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/reformasi/extrasIt takes a lot of money to run a podcast. You need subscription fees for hosting, audio recording services, editor's salary and music licensing. Luckily, you, estemeed listeners of Reformasi Dispatch podcast can help us.You can donate to us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi and help us grow!