Indonesian constitutional justices saw fit to extend the tenure of Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) members, while also considering a late-stage alteration of the legislative electoral system.   Also before the court: a request to lower the minimum age for a vice‑presidential nominee, which would allow Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming (the president's son) to be Prabowo Subianto's running mate.  And the court's chief justice is Gibran's uncle...  (Note: subsequent to the recording, the court critic Denny Indrayana, a former vice law minister, became the target of criminal charges o ..read more

A veteran human rights expert joins the pod to reflect on press freedoms a quarter-century since Soeharto's fall.  Andreas Harsono also provides an update on the Widodo administration's gesture to acknowledge 12 cases of past rights cases.  Also: Jeff and Kevin assess Ganjar's initial campaign performances and messaging -- along with an abrupt move by the Prabowo camp to 'go negative' at an early stage.  And finally: sudden rancor over the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and the Bandung fast train's trial run. Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi ..read more

The former US ambassador to Indonesia and Myanmar joins Reformasi Dispatch to share his views -- compiled from a career devoted almost entirely to diplomacy throughout the Asean region.  Ambassador Marciel's book uses a wealth of personal vignettes to highlight over-arching themes such as democratization, institution-building, and engaging with the region on its merits -- rather than as a foil to China.  Jeff and Kevin ask the ambassador about legal-system institutions, Indonesian democracy, conditions in Myanmar, and the tools available to US diplomats in SE Asia. Support us on buym ..read more

We turn to an expert for an update on polling methodologies and what the numbers say thus far about where the candidates stand.  After gyrations during April, we ask the Harvard Ph.D. candidate Seth Soderberg about the constituencies, strategies and dynamics that could prove decisive in the months ahead.  Also, Kevin and Jeff recap the ill-fated 'Grand Alliance' and discuss how Anies Baswedan is elevating respect for democratic norms as a potentially powerful campaign theme. Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi ..read more

After nearly 20 years, a bill to help protect maids and household servants from exploitation finally appears poised to pass into law.  A longstanding proponent, former parliamentarian Eva Sundari, joins the pod to explain the bill's features, which she describes as moderate and modest.  A central feature will be a registration system to help track workers' whereabouts and guard against involuntary servitude. In addition, Jeff and Kevin review the ongoing whirlwind of party politicking, including options for parties of the United Alliance (KIB).  Also: an update on Jakarta's lon ..read more

This is the full interview with Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo on June 2021 in Indonesian. Support us on buymeacoffee.com/reformasi ..read more

In the wake of the decision on the part of Megawati Sukarnoputri, the chair of the ruling PDIP party, to nominate Ganjar Pranowo, Central Java's governor, for president we thought we would replay our June 2021 interview with Ganjar in which he outlines his views on improving human capital, protecting the environment, and concern at the time that the KPK's inclusion into the civil service under the auspices of retired police generals would mean the graft watchdog would pose little threat. The interview is also one of very few direct conversations the governor has had with media in recent years ..read more

10 months to the day before next year's momentous election, Indonesia's electoral process is plodding through a veritable gauntlet of meddling.  This includes spurious procedural disputes, unscrupulous legal attacks and a late-stage attempt to revise rules.  And the once-independent Anti-Corruption Commission (KPK) is at issue: an editorial in Tempo, once a staunch KPK defender, asserts that the commission is now an instrument of abuse.  Machinations seemingly aim to indict Anies Baswedan regarding funding for a Formula-E grand prix -- but a weak charge against a presidential co ..read more

Steven and Jeff speak with Awan Puryadi, one of the lawyers in involved in a class action suit on behalf of 25 families of victims who had drank cough syrup laced with industrial grade solvents that are lethal for humans.  The families are seeking billions in compensation from pharmaceutical companies, distributors and the government for allowing the mass poisoning. The Pak Awan says the families want the government to devote resources toward long term care for those suffering debilitating injuries including organ failure and paralysis, which are permanent and an apology.  Kevin is ..read more

Disgraced former police general Ferdy Sambo was found guilty and sentenced to death for ordering the death of his subordinate, Yosua Hutabarat. Four more defendants including his wife were also found guilty with three dealt lengthy sentences behind bars. Even so, after a slew of high level dismissals last year the appetite for reform of Indonesia's crusty criminal justice system is still a long way off.  Then, Jeff gets to segue neatly into Indonesia slump down Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index -- worst one-year fall since the dying days of Suharto. University of M ..read more