Reformasi Dispatch

Munira Mustaffa joins then podcast for a discussion of memetic violence in Southeast Asia as well as Russian recruiting of Indonesians for combat in Ukraine.  Also: a wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle delicately preserves the status quo, and the oresident revives the defunct Advisory Council (Wantimpres).

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Smoke and mirrors this week in Indonesia: Palangkaraya's air-quality index (AQI) routinely tops 1,000; a technocratic new finance minister suddenly takes over; Nadiem must appeal again; a ferry disaster kills over 130; and elites start maneuvering for an election. Also: in Malaysia, Najib Razaq wins house arrest.

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Nazir Foead, formerly head of the now defunct Peatland Restoration Agency (Badan Pengelola Gambut) joins Kevin and Erin to talk about the fire ravaging Indonesia, especially peatland fires, of which Indonesia has 12-14 million hectares of. Also: The rise of Dedy Mulyadi's popularity gives Prabowo a run for his money, a string of disasters, natural and man-made struck Indonesia: Anak Krakatau eruption, forest and land fire, food poisoning that strikes over 2000 children in a week. And finally, Haji Isam gets an offer he couldn't refuse.

Watch the Youtube version here: https://youtu.be/VP9wdk-4yK0

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New data provided insights on smog-producing emissions of nitrous oxides (NOx), which we discuss with the analyst Katherine Hasan of the Centre for Clean Energy and Air (Crea).  Also: Kevin and Erin delve into the nuances surrounding a moderate-sized demonstration, plans for a commodity trading bourse and cross-border haze from forest-and-land fires.

Read CREA's report here: https://energyandcleanair.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/EN-CREA_Press-release_First-of-its-kind-satellite-based-analysis-reveals-29-hazardous-NOx-hotspots-across-Indonesia.docx.pdf

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As Indonesia's export control policies increasingly attract attention, Vietnam is tentatively embracing the Korean Chaebol model.  Max Abbott, a seasoned analyst of both countries, helps compare and contrast their respective policy approaches.  Spoiler: the more market-oriented trajectory happens to be in the Communist country...

Watch the YouTube version here: https://youtu.be/JqoB5jbxK18

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Thinzar Shunlei Yi, Magnitsky human rights award recipient for Outstanding Young Human Rights Activist Award and activist of the human rights NGO #Sisters2Sisters joins the Reformasi Dispatch podcast to share the realities of oppression in Myanmar and the diplomatic gains being made by the junta in Asean and beyond.  Also, Kevin and Erin discuss the ouster of Indonesia's central bank governor and the upcoming pre-trial suit of the disgraced deputy attorney general Febrie Adriansyah.

Watch the Youtube version here: https://youtu.be/NvJjNcD4rMw

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Reliable new polling suggests the national mood may be shifting away from the president.  BI's esteemed governor abruptly resigns and attention will focus on whether the central bank will fall fully under personalized political control. MUI discusses Anti-LGBT legislation. A push is underway for recycling and composting in Jakarta.  And the ASEAN Ministers Meeting marks another incremental step towards accepting Myanmar's junta.

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An embarrassment of riches befell the top prosecutor in Indonesia's AGO when police discovered seven suitcases of gold bars in the closet of his golf home.  But the prosecutor, Deputy AG Febrie Adriansyah, has not entered custody and his AGO colleagues will ostensibly handle his prosecution.  The Reformasi Dispatch podcast delves into the details of what transpired, what it reveals about key security organs and their mutual hostilities -- and what it means for politics.  Also: opprobrium for the public works minister, an ammunition factory for Haji Isam and polished viral videos of violence against trans women.

Watch it on YouTube as well: https://youtu.be/NxAepA3qJFM?si=TVcEDKv2xl-gYwqh

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Reformasi Dispatch discusses: the Nadiem Makarim verdict and its effects on sentiment as well as procurement; the VP sweepstakes ahead of the 2029 scheduled election; the increasing urgency of kickstarting deliberations on a National Elections Law revision; and a spate of visits to Jakarta by heads of state; and a spate of deaths in the training of Red-White Cooperative managers.

Watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ASEPMbIW2Ew

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In this special Pride month episode of Reformasi Dispatch, Kevin and Erin talk to legendary LGBTQ activist Dédé Oetomo to talk about his activism work, the recent rise of homophobic attacks and his words for future activists.

Watch the video version on our YouTube: https://youtu.be/m4Qqz61WI4k

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