Reformasi Dispatch

Jonathan Head, BBC's veteran Southeast correspondent, joins Reformasi Dispatch to discuss Asean's coping with super‑power rivalry in a 'post‑globalization' framework. He highlights conditions in Myanmar, the importance of Indonesia's diplomatic efforts via Asean, and EVs in SE Asia. Jeff and Kevin cover sudden shifts in Indonesia's presidential nominating alliances and the VP sweepstakes maneuvers.

Send us a textIndonesia's foreign policy is even freer and more active than usual, as President Joko Widodo negotiates the G20, Asean, IPEF, Aukus, the OECD, Brics and other acronyms.  On the eve of Asean's Jakarta Summit and in the wake of Widodo's address to Brics, the pod consults foreign policy expert Dewi Fortuna (of the Habibie Center and the National Research and Innovation Agency or 'Brin') who sets forth her "Hedging Plus" description of Indonesia's approach.  Also: Jeff and Kevin discuss Ganjar's partial polling recovery and his recent campaign-trail performance.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!

Send us a textThe Indonesia analyst for the Helsinki-based NGO Crea joins the Reformasi Dispatch podcast to cut through the haze concerning the world's worst smog.  We examine SO2, NOx and 2.5ug particulates in Jakarta's 'airshed' and consider the urgency of revamping regulations on coal.  While the issue pits coal-related interests against considerations of public health -- and official pronouncements tend to defend coal while faulting the transportation sector -- we ask where policymakers' priorities actually lie.  Also in this episode: Ganjar catches up in polls and Golkar's former chair wins early release from prison.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!

Discussion on Indonesia's GDP growth rate, the need for higher growth rate for investment, and skepticism about the current rate. Exploring the growth of digital banking, sustainability of Indonesia's consumer-driven economy, and dominance of e-commerce. The impact of lower commodity prices and challenges for the upcoming election.

Send us a textA cap-and-trade scheme to encourage emissions reductions is imminent, with application for the power sector as well as avoided deforestation.  Jeff welcomes back Bill Sullivan from Christian Teo & Partners to talk about new regulations paving the way towards carbon exchange next month. While small and likely restricted to the domestic market, Indonesia stands out among its neighbours for venturing into the market for carbon trading and offsets, with all the first-mover advantages that the move may bring.Also: a Gibran Run?  Jeff and Kevin discuss the elite gravitation towards a Prabowo-Rakabuming ticket, including pressure on the Golkar chair -- and how Ganjar could potentially respond.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!

Send us a textJeff, Kevin and Steven talk with the Special Rapporteur for the UN on Myanmar about the country's worsening crisis and what levers ASEAN can use to further its Five Point Consensus. Also: Airlangga Hartarto faces 12 hours of scrutiny from the Attorney General’s Office while facing a rift in his own Golkar party; yet more intrigue affects Pertamina; and Foreign Minister Marsudi in the recent Asean ministers' summit. 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!

Send us a textKevin and Jeff speak with the human rights activist and high profile lawyer on unfinished business criminal justice reform under the Widodo presidency, his defense of Time Magazine and the Bali Nine, and prospects for governance reform under a Prabowo presidency about which he’s surprisingly open-minded.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!

Send us a textWe consult the Teneo SE Asia expert Bob Herrera Lim on the intricacies of what may be a watershed juncture in the politics of Thailand.  Also: breaking down Prabowo's Najwa Shihab interview and re-assessing prospects for the indictment of Anies Baswedan.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!

Send us a textThe leadership of Indonesia’s governing party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) indicates a rapprochement between their respective leaders Megawati Sukarnoputri and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, ending their yearlong estrangement and potentially upending President Joko Widodo’s governing parliamentary coalition.PDIP elites resent Widodo’s reluctance to distance himself with his two time rival and presidential candidate, Prabowo Subianto. Also in the episode: the government readies a bevy of five- to- 10 year “golden visas” aimed at attracting  highly skilled workers, retirees, individuals with globally recognized talent a digital nomads. And Steven joins Kevin and Jeff to discuss Jakarta’s interim governor’s ambition to begin construction of the capital’s seawall.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!

Send us a textThe long-awaited ban on exports of raw bauxite ore is in place and Reformasi Dispatch turns to an expert on resource‑sector regulations to examine the drivers of policymaking -- including stark variations that differentiate assorted minerals such as nickel, bauxite, copper and tin.  Also: a review of the start of Minister Luhut Panjaitan's defamation proceedings against two prominent human rights activists; and a look at one of the world's most prominent Indonesians, the 17‑year singer-songwriter Ariani Putri.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!