Indonesia has made impressive democratic gains since the fall of the authoritarian Suharto regime in 1998, and has long been praised as a ‘model Muslim democracy’. 

But in recent years, the quality of Indonesian democracy has noticeably declined as the country continues to struggle with challenges to its democratic institutions and values, with systemic corruption and discrimination and violence against minority groups.

Guests: 

Dr Ken Setiawan (Lecturer in Indonesian and Asian Studies, Asia Institute, University of Melbourne)

Associate Professor Dirk Tomsa (Head of Department of Politics, Media and Philosophy, La Trobe University)

Their book is Politics in Contemporary Indonesia: Institutional Change, Policy Challenges and Democratic Decline (Routledge, 2022).

Recorded on 15 July, 2022.

#188: The Democratic Decline of Indonesia

Asia Rising, the podcast of La Trobe Asia which takes a critical look at the key issues facing Asia's states and societies.

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In 2004 Indonesia enacted the Anti-Domestic Violence Law in what has been widely acknowledged as a progressive move, and a major achievement for the women’s rights groups who advocated for it.

Despite the law being in effect for 20 years, domestic violence in Indonesia remains a persistent issue.

Guest: Dr Balawyn Jones (Lecturer and Bendigo Law Convenor, La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University).

Recorded on 1st March, 2024.

#221: Domestic Violence in Indonesia

North Korea is an isolated and secretive country, long restricted by sanctions, and getting an accurate picture of its economy can be a challenge. So what can we know about its economic condition?

Guest: Dr Chiew Ping Hoo (Senior Fellow, East Asia and International Relations (EAIR) Caucus, Malaysia)

Recorded 6th March, 2024.

#220: Is AUKUS a Good Deal for Australia?

Oceans are an important resource for every country and are essential for travel and trade, but there are several critical issues facing maritime order in Asia.

A lack of a shared vision, differing interpretations of maritime order, and cooperation over security issues all create friction for use of shared waterways across Asia, which makes fair and equitable access vital. How can Asian states and allies strengthen dialogue, interactions, and coordination to maximise the impact of their efforts in upholding regional and maritime order?

Speakers:
- Professor Bec Strating (Director, La Trobe Asia)
- Professor Alessio Patalano (Department of War Studies, Kings College London)
- Professor Kyoko Hatakeyama (Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture)
- Professor Nick Bisley (Chair) (Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, La Trobe University)
- With an introduction from La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Theo Farrell.

The launch of Issue 10 of the La Trobe Asia Brief.

Event recorded on 11th April, 2024.

This public panel will present research from a collaborative project between La Trobe Asia, Kyushu University and King’s College London. It has received grant funding from the Australia-Japan Foundation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the United Kingdom Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office.

Event: Enhancing Global and Regional Maritime Order

#219: The Economics of North Korea

Indonesia has had a national election, and the likely next president is Prabowo Subianto, a leader with a checkered past. Prabowo served as Jokowi’s defense minister and gained his backing for this election, even naming Jokowi’s son as his VP running mate.

Given his background, there are many who are carefully watching the decisions he will make in foreign affairs.

Guest: Dr Lina Alexandra (Head of International Relations at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) based in Jakarta).

Recorded 6th March, 2024.

#188: The Democratic Decline of Indonesia

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