The past few years have seen repeated questioning of the independent workings of police, the prosecutors and the courts in Indonesia, ranging from accusations that prosecutions have been used to limit opposition or coerce support for the government, to suspicions that the outcome of high profile cases such as the blasphemy prosecution against then Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama had as much to do with societal pressure and political considerations, as it did with the letter of the law. Are such perceptions justified regarding the politicisation of law enforcement, and how do the government and other external parties intervene in legal cases? What are the implications for the rule of law in Indonesia?

In this week's Talking Indonesia podcast, ] Dr Dave McRae discusses these issues with Dian Rositawati, Chair of the Board of the Indonesian Institute for an Independent Judiciary (LeIP). Dian has been closely involved in judicial reform in Indonesia for two decades, and is currently also undertaking a PhD at Tilburg University.

The Talking Indonesia podcast is co-hosted by Dr Dave McRae from the University of Melbourne’s Asia Institute, Dr Jemma Purdey from Monash University, Dr Charlotte Setijadi from the Singapore Management University and Dr Dirk Tomsa from La Trobe University.

Look out for a new Talking Indonesia podcast every fortnight. Catch up on previous episodes at the Indonesia At Melbourne blog, or listen via your favourite podcasting app.

Photo credit: Reno Esnir for ANTARA FOTO