Reformasi Dispatch

President Joko Widodo's sudden plan to engage in personal diplomacy with Putin involves high stakes.   Prospects for progress are daunting, but the  trip marks a welcome foray by Indonesia's leader into international affairs.  Ukraine's ambassador to Indonesia joins the pod to put the effort in context and help shed light on what is reasonable to anticipate. 

Also: Megawati uncorks more vitriol aimed towards Ganjar, and all sides gear up for yet another tussle over an attempt to revise Indonesia's antiquated Criminal Code (KUHP). 

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Indonesia's new and renewable energy bill includes provisions to support development of fossil fuels including coal bed methane and coal gasification. Also on the pod: Elite support solidifies for Ganjar, and a mini reshuffle.

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Former VP nominee Sandiaga Uno joins Reformasi Dispatch to discuss his portfolio as tourism minister at a crucial juncture for the sector.   Jeff and Kevin examine the significance of Golkar's entrance into the 'United Indonesia Alliance' with Pan and PPP -- without any mention of Party Chair Airlangga Hartarto as its presidential contender.  Also: the mysterious Acute Hepatis outbreak and how the Widodo administration will utilize its remarkable windfall from an across-the-board boom in exports (spoiler: fuel subsidies die hard).

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Kevin and Jeff interview Andy Yentriani, chairwoman of Indonesia's National Commission on Violence Against Women. Indonesia's landmark law on sexual crimes offers unprecendented protections against unwanted sexual advances and recriminations from alleged perpetrators. It has big shortcomings, too. Legislators have left treatment of rape for inclusion in a long-delayed revised criminal code. And enforcement will be left up to Indonesia's mostly male criminal justice system. But the new law is at last official recognition of Indonesia's yawning gender divide.

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Controlling domestic cooking-oil prices is President Widodo's reason for banning Indonesia's exports of palm oleins, which the world relies upon for food and cosmetics.  Will the draconian measure actually work?  If so, when?  Global concerns about food inflation are at stake.  Also on the pod: the Lowy Institute's Ben Bland discusses Indonesian attitudes toward democracy, international relations and world leaders, based on Lowy's new poll findings.  Jeff and Kevin discuss the implications of Indonesia's first-quarter trade data and the start of the annual 'mudik' exodus from cities for Idul Fitri.

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In a breakthrough for social reform, the government and parliament outlawed assorted types of sexual abuse while introducing safeguards for victims.  Jeff and Kevin discuss how this overdue law, despite some shortcomings, can now serve as a platform for sustained efforts to improve justice in practice. 

Also, Eurasia Group analyst Peter Mumford joins the pod to review precarious economic conditions in certain neighboring Asian countries, with an assessment of effects on views of Indonesia. 

Finally, Jeff and Kevin review the recent decision to divide Papua Province into four parts -- the history, current dynamics and prospects. 

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Reformasi Dispatch discussed Indonesia's energy transition with Robert O. Blake, the former US ambassador to Indonesia and now a senior advisor to US Special Climate Envoy John Kerry.  The US has identified Indonesia as a country with promising prospects for cooperation on climate action and Ambassador Blake recently concluded a high‑level visit to Jakarta on the topic.  Decommissioning coal-fired power plants is a priority -- as is progress on regulatory reform to facilitate investment-grade projects for renewable energy. 

Also: Jeff and Kevin discuss acrimony surrounding preparations for the Bali G20, as well as the president's latest stance on election postponement and some difficult fiscal choices ahead amid high energy prices.

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We are still on hiatus for this week. Meanwhile, we would like to introduce you to one of our best interview of the pod with Edward Tirtanata, founder of Kopi Kenangan.

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Indonesia's leading reformer met Reformasi Dispatch for an hour interview that appraised the economy's outlook amid extraordinary international conditions and heightening rhetoric about postponing elections.  With regard to prolonging the administration's tenure, Sri Mulyani Indrawati made clear that no urgency supports election postponement, and "no one is indispensible."

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A foremost climate‑action advocate within the Jakarta diplomatic corps joins the pod to assess areas of opportunities and constraints in Indonesia's efforts towards sustainability.  Ambassador Berg also discusses the war on Ukraine and notes that "Words matter". 

In addition: Jeff and Kevin review the latest from Widodo administration officials keen on postponing elections, and assess Indonesia's prospects for being able to host a G20 Summit amid precipitous international tensions.

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