Reformasi Dispatch

Send us a textCurious 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 president's younger son.  And finally: the president-elect's brother-in-law weighs in on building new capitals versus disbursing free lunches. 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 textFor 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 proposal for anti-dumping tariffs on consumer goods from China, Prabowo's leg surgery and the sinking of the Electoral Commission (KPU) to yet another new low.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 textThai 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 update on the search for political consensus in Thailand and the implications for Thailand's stance on the ongoing Myanmar crisis.  He anticipates scenarios and issues a call for Indonesia to heed.  Also in this episode: Erin and Kevin discuss the political divide in Manila, the election maneuvering in Jakarta, and a Prabowo media overture in America.Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.info

Send us a textThe 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 Senopati bar.  Also: Kevin and Erin delve into the workings of Jakarta's gubernatorial election, cases embroiling Megawati's top lieutenant and signs of complications arising in the Nusantara Capital (IKN) project.Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/For a free trial of Reformasi newsletter, go to reformasi.info

Send us a textThe 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 review cabinet rumors and new policies on halal import certification and coal-mining licenses for religious organizations - as well as how the president and president-elect still remain 'in sync'.Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Send us a textImminent 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 Elon Musk can - and can not - offer Indonesia. Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Discussing Indonesia's political landscape post-election, including key judicial entity bills, Singapore's change of government, and the tragic passing of a Thai hunger striker. Exploring controversial topics like human rights violations, government continuity, and regional political dynamics.

Send us a textReformasi 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 leading the process, along with the US$1.7 billion AI investment plan of Microsoft -- which would include infrastructure as well as one-month AI training courses for 840,000 participants over four years.  However, will the next administration regard foreign artificial intelligence as just another form of foreign intelligence?Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Send us a textProspects 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 discuss the latest, including a major investment pledge by Microsoft for AI tech, talk about expanding coordinating minister posts and the maneuvering ahead of major gubernatorial races in November.Read Erin's newsletter Dari Mulut Ke Mulut here: https://darimulut.beehiiv.com/

Dr. Dan Slater, democracy expert from Michigan University, discusses Indonesia's election aftermath and Prabowo's governance. Topics include Hun Sen's Cambodia trends, PDIP's reaction to court's decision, and implications of AGO's targeting a mafia kingpin. The podcast also explores economic downturn impact on Indonesian politics and future actions of Praboa, emphasizing the need for safeguarding democracy.