Reformasi Dispatch

Send us a textIn 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.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Send us a textThis 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 leadershipsRead Rio Tuasikal's research on media coverage of AI in Indonesia: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15u1m5c7V0mfx_i2Jip2g687-HIKMVbZu/viewFor a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Send us a textThis 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.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Send us a textThis 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.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Wahyu Dhyatmika, a veteran journalist from Tempo, sheds light on Indonesia's tumultuous political landscape. He discusses the fallout from Airlangga Hartarto's resignation and its implications for regional elections. The podcast explores crucial Constitutional Court rulings aimed at increasing electoral diversity and concerns over the integrity of the political process amid recent controversies. Additionally, it touches on the challenges faced by journalists and the potential for upcoming protests, emphasizing the critical balance between democratic integrity and political maneuvering.

Send us a textPresident 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 Jakarta's race, the maneuvering will exclude incumbent Gov Anies Baswedan, ensuring the election of Ridwan Kamil as the only party-backed nominee on the ballot - and we examine comparable dynamics in several other provinces.  But, if Widodo emerges as chair of Golkar Advisory Board that has expanded powers, how will that function in practice?  Indonesia's attempt at a duumvirate inevitably entails inherent tensions.  Also: the attempted comeback of the Constitutional Court's former chief justice, Anwar Usman; the abrupt resignation of a key Information Ministry official; and, in Thailand, the ouster of Prime Minister Sretta and his replacement with Paetongtarn (Ung Ing) Shinawatra.  Finally: an interview on human trafficking with the Airlangga University PhD candidate in labor migration studies, Aniello Iannone.  We discuss the dimensions and dynamics of illegal trafficking (TPPO) in Indonesia, domestically and internationally, including the mechanisms of agents operating at the community level - and how certain civil-society organizations are striving to safeguard victims, including children.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Send us a textThis 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 Hasina's downfall in Dhaka, as well as a breakthrough Indonesian health reform and latest developments on the Nusantara capital project.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Send us a textIndonesia'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 free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Send us a textThe 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-oriented appointments, the military's yen for business and the pitfalls of zoomorphic forms in palace architecture.For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.infoRead Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/To read about Vietnam Weekly, go here: https://vietnamweekly.substack.com/

Send us a textIn 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 Kompas, we examine the context and conditions for the jockeying and campaigning that lies ahead.  This includes prospects for Anies Baswedan, Ridwan Kamil, Bobby Nasution, Airin Diany and the firebrand upstart Basuki Purnama ('Ahok') -- along with some of the possible permutations of party alliances.  And finally: weighing the prospects for the president's younger son Kaesang Pangarep.